A retired Marine colonel and former aide to John Kelly is launching a write-in campaign in the Alabama Senate race less than a month from the special election, The Washington Post reported.
Lee Busby was Mr. Kelly’s vice chief of staff when he was a lieutenant general. Mr. Kelly now serves as the White House chief of staff to President Trump.
Mr. Busby told the newspaper that he intends to run as an independent and rely on social media to promote himself.
“If this were a military operation, the left flank and the right flank are heavily guarded,” he explained to The Post.
“I think that gives you an opportunity to run straight up the middle,” he added.
The news comes as Republican candidate Roy Moore continues to face allegations of sexual misconduct while working as a district attorney in Alabama. Mr. Moore has been accused of pursuing relationships with teenage girls while he was in his 30s. He is facing Democratic challenger Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election.
Although Alabama is a deep red state, Republicans are nervous about potentially losing the seat to Democratic candidate Doug Jones as polls show Mr. Moore slipping.
Mr. Trump has praised Mr. Kelly for his military service and has shown a fondness for putting military members in positions of power in his administration. He has not commented about Mr. Busby’s possible campaign at this time.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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