Gov. Robert Bentley said Thursday that his appointee to replace Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate won’t have to face a special election for the seat later this year. Instead, the new senator would be up for election during the regularly scheduled contests in 2018, if he or she chooses to run. Bentley said that he could publicly name the new senator as soon as next week, and that he hopes to decide on the replacement by tomorrow. The decision to forgo a special election in 2017, according to governor, could save the state up to $16 million. “It’s a statewide election and you need a primary, runoff and general election,” Bentley said to the media following an appearance during the 11th annual Alabama First Class Pre-K Conference in Mobile. “Each one of those would cost $4 million to $5 million. It will save the state a lot of money.”
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said he could have more details on the exact costs of an election by next week. He said his office is currently studying the analytics of what an actual election costs during the regular cycle elections of 2012, 2014 and 2016.
“We’re doing that right now not because of the discussions held in 2016 regarding potential special elections,” Merrill said. “This is something we were underway with prior to the vacancy that might be created (if Sessions leaves the Senate to become U.S. Attorney General).”
Also, Bentley said by waiting until 2018, the new senator will get a better chance “to prove him or herself.” The 2018 primary is scheduled for June 5, a runoff would take place on July 17, and the general election is slated for Nov. 8.
Full Article: No special election to replace Sessions; Bentley says move could save $16 million | AL.com.