MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Robert Bentley has so far interviewed 20 potential replacements for U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Thursday interviewed U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt and two of his own Cabinet members - Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee and Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard.
That brings the list to 20 people interviewed so far as Bentley prepares to name an interim replacement for Sessions, who has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to become the nation’s next attorney general. His confirmation hearing will begin next month.
A Bentley spokeswoman said Thursday that additional interviews are planned. The person named by Bentley will hold the Senate post until an election is held to fill the seat for rest of Sessions’ term.
Some of the state’s most prominent political figures are vying for the coveted appointment. The list so far is composed entirely of Republican office holders, former Republican candidates and Republican appointees, but they constitute different ideologies within the GOP. Bentley had asked members of the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee to submit suggestions on who should replace Sessions.
Bentley has also interviewed:
-Attorney General Luther Strange
-Suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore
-U.S. Rep. Martha Roby
-U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer
-U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks
-Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh
-Supreme Court Associate Justice Glenn Murdock
-Businessman Tim James
-State Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper
-Sen. Phil Williams of Rainbow City
-Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur
-Sen. Cam Ward of Alabaster
- Sen. Bill Hightower of Mobile
- Sen. Trip Pittman of Daphne,
-Rep. Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa
-Rep. Connie Rowe of Jasper
-Trump state campaign chairman and former legislator Perry Hooper of Montgomery
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