McConnell, other prominent Republicans oppose Roy Moore’s Senate run

Just before Moore’s Thursday announcement, which many assumed to be that he intended to run, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters, “He [Moore] can do what he wants to, but we’re certainly going to oppose him in every way.”

The senior senator from Alabama, Republican Richard Shelby, also opposes Roy Moore’s bid for the Senate. Following Moore’s announcement he told reporters, “Alabama can do better than Roy Moore.” Shelby further ventured that Moore would be met with similar opposition from the majority of Republicans.

President Trump has also been clear that he does not want Moore to run for the Senate seat, fearing he will again lose to a Democrat. He tweeted in May, “Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama. This time it will be for Six Years, not just Two. I have NOTHING against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t.”

“If Alabama does not elect a Republican to the Senate in 2020, many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost.”

Donald Trump Jr. was also outspoken in his opposition to Moore following the announcement. In response to Moore’s claim that his 2020 campaign was not “going against President Trump,” the president’s eldest son tweeted, “This is pure fake news. I can assure everyone that by running, Roy Moore is going against my father and he’s doing a disservice to all conservatives across the country in the process.”

Trump Jr. also ridiculed Moore’s choice of words when he said that part of his new campaign strategy would be “to make more personal contact with people.” “This can’t be real… can it? Based on the allegations I’d stay away from that but hey I’m new to this,” Trump Jr. said.