Sen. Doug Jones, an Alabama Democrat, is considered the most vulnerable Senate candidate this election cycle. But he raised tons of money in the year’s first quarter to fend off attacks from his still to-be-determined Republican opponent.
Jones raised $4.2 million in the January-March quarter, bringing his total cash on hand to $8.26 million. This fundraising take, according to FEC records, dwarfs the top two Republican contenders, former Alabama senator and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who have yet to face off in the state’s runoff that has been delayed to July 14.
Sessions reported raising about $744,000 and has almost $750,000 cash on hand left after spending $1.9 million during the quarter. Tuberville reported raising nearly $790,000 this quarter and has almost $460,000 cash on hand remaining. Tuberville spent $1.4 million during the period.
The reporting period includes the run-up to the March 3 primary and the shutdown of everyday life brought forth by the COVID-19 crisis, which has severely altered how campaigns are able to fundraise. Like many other state leaders, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey postponed the March 31 election in light of safety concerns to July 14.
The move allows for Jones to continue to fundraise on the sidelines, while his potential Republican opponents will spend money on their campaigns attacking one another, specifically over who is more conservative or more loyal to Trump, into the late summer.
Nevertheless, the conservative political landscape in Alabama will still be a tough fight for Jones to overcome when a winner does emerge in July, and social distancing policies are likely to be different. Jones won his Senate seat in a December 2017 special election.
