Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., is "seriously considering" running for the Senate in the GOP primary for the special election this year to fill the seat left vacant by former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who resigned in February to become U.S. Attorney General, according to AL.com.
"I am seriously considering the race," Brooks said Monday. "That's a fair description. But, I'm also very undecided. I have to be convinced I will have sufficient funds to defend against the personal attacks that would undoubtedly be launched by opposing campaigns in a race of this magnitude."
Candidates vying for the seat must meet a May 17 deadline to qualify for the Aug. 15 primaries. Brooks indicated he would probably wait until shortly before the deadline to make a final decision. The general election will be held in December.
Former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Luther Strange to fill the vacancy and had planned to wait until 2018 to hold the special election. But, after Bentley's resignation last month, new Gov. Kay Ivey moved the special election to this year.
Brooks is among a field of several contenders that includes Strange, state Rep. Ed Henry, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and Christian Coalition of Alabama President Randy Brinson who have announced their intentions to run in the GOP primary, AL.com reported.
One key asset Brooks has is the $1.2 million in campaign cash he has available, according to his most recent financial disclosure.
"That's one of the strong points," Brooks said. "I have almost half-a-million dollars cash on hand, more so than the second place person, and more than $1 million cash-on-hand more than every other candidate — rumored or announced."
Brooks is anticipating a negative campaign for the primary race and lacks the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which indicated last week they were solidly backing Strange, the Washington Examiner reported.
Brooks said the NRSC stance "doesn't affect my decision one iota."
Brooks is the only one of Alabama's congressional members who have indicated they would run for the Senate seat, according to AL.com.
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