Would a future Trump administration create a U.S. Senate vacancy in Alabama?
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Eye on Politics
Paul DeMarco
With the first presidential debate behind us and the National Republican Convention this week, there is a lot of talk about the direction of the race to the White House. While it is still early, based on President Joe Biden’s performance, former president Donald Trump has the edge currently to win the election.
And if President Trump were to be the victor, there is already talk that Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville may play a role in his second term in office. The senator has been one of the most outspoken and early advocates for President Trump. He has the ear of the president and is not bashful in support of the Trump campaign.
If the senator does resign his seat to take a leadership position in a Trump White House, this would create a domino effect in Alabama politics. This happened back in 2016 when then former Sen. Jeff Sessions resigned his seat after President Trump appointed him as the U.S. attorney general.
There is no question there would be a long list of candidates who would seek the appointment by Gov. Kay Ivey. Most of those who would put their name in the hat would probably be current officeholders.
Sen. Tuberville is a close ally of former President Trump so he might be persuaded by a future President Trump to join the president’s cabinet.
On the other hand, Tuberville may decide to continue to represent Alabama in the Senate. If he stays in the Senate, a lot of folks would want the senator to play a leadership role if the GOP takes the majority in the Senate. The U.S. Senate could use his drive and common sense to recalibrate the world’s most deliberative body to be an effective legislative chamber that works in the best interest of the nation.
But if there is a vacancy, Gov. Ivey will have the opportunity to make a very important pick for Alabama’s representation in Washington, D.C.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_DeMarco.