Senator Luther Strange invoked his support from President Donald Trump at a Republican candidate forum on Thursday, defending his seat against former state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who unwound a string of allegations against Strange and mocked his reliance on the Trump’s endorsement a few days before their discussion at Alabama’s special Senate election, The New York Times reports.
Senator Strange, who was appointed to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is betting that his only way to win next Tuesday is to embrace the president and attempt to make the race a Trump referendum.
Strange argued on Thursday that the president’s surprise decision to mediate the campaign and get involved in a rally with him was equal to a seal of approval, since Trump is very popular among Republicans in the state.
The senator was blatant about referring to his phone calls with Trump, explaining how the two newly sworn-in Republicans had bonded this year as he swept away the escalating audible snickering from the audience at every mention of the president.
“You may resent that the president is my friend, and is supporting me in this race, but I think it’s a good thing the president of the United States has a personal relationship with the junior senator from Alabama,” said Mr. Strange, before once again plugging his joint appearance with Mr. Trump, which is scheduled for Friday evening in the northern city of Huntsville.
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