Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is throwing his full support behind former Alabama state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore in the state’s special senatorial election.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have put their full endorsement behind incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, who filled the vacancy left behind after Attorney General Jeff Sessions forfeited his seat to serve in the Trump administration. Former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Strange as Sessions’ temporary replacement. (RELATED: Pence Backs Strange In Alabama Special Election)
Bannon announced his support for Moore at a closed-door meeting in Washington, and made it clear he is looking to rally the conservative base behind Moore’s candidacy, Politico reports. Bannon claims it is an act of opposition aimed at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, not the president or the administration. McConnell and Republican donors have thrown millions behind Strange in the election.
Moore notably edged out Strange in the first round of voting for the Republican candidate, notching 39 percent of the vote compared to 33 percent.
The former White House chief strategist has a close relationship with major Breitbart donor Roy Moore, who has the capital and political influence to give Moore’s campaign a marked boon.
Bannon returned to Breitbart as executive chairman after leaving the Trump administration, and the outlet has ramped up its coverage of the special senatorial election in recent weeks, publishing more than a handful of stories about Moore that paint the candidate and his campaign in a positive light.
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