MONTGOMERY (Ala.) — Donald Trump endorsed Katie Britt in an Alabama U.S. Senate election, doubling his support for the former president’s choice to abandon his Republican primary opponent.
Trump described Britt as “an incredible fighter to the people of Alabama”. The former president initially backed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, but ended up rescinding that endorsement in March following a strained relationship.
Britt served as chief of staff for retiring U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. She then stepped down to head a state business group and is now running to replace Shelby. Britt and Brooks will face off in the June 21 race that will determine the Republican nominee.
Trump wrote that Katie Britt would never let him down and added, “She has my complete endorsement!”
Brooks, who was trying to regain Trump support, was also disappointed by the decision. Trump stated Friday that Mo had been asking for it back since then. “But I cannot give it” to him. Katie Britt is an America First Warrior who is fearless.
Trump supported Brooks last year, a reward for the conservative firebrand who was an avid supporter of Trump’s false 2020 election fraud claims. Brooks had rallied Trump supporters at the Jan. 6, 2020, rally that preceded U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Trump endorsed Brooks, citing his poor performance in the race. Brooks was also accused of being “woke” when he said at a Cullman rally it was time for the race to end. He suggested that the focus should be on the upcoming elections and not on litigating 2020’s presidential election.
Britt was the leader of the May primary field, and has been seeking Trump’s support ever since Brooks backed away.
Trump’s glowing endorsement for Britt contrasts with statements he made a whole year ago about her. He called her “not qualified” and described her as an “assistant to a Senator” (referring to Shelby as a “Republican only”).
Britt stated Friday that Trump was a great supporter. In a statement, she stated that Trump “knows that Alabamians have grown tired of do-nothing, failed career politicians.” “It’s high time for the next generation to shake up Washington and save the country that we love and care about for our children and their children.”
Brooks, despite losing Trump’s endorsement, continued to campaign under “MAGA Mo,” a reference the Make America Great Again slogan. He challenged Britt to a debate about the unique topic of whether 2020 was “stolen.”
Brooks tweeted Friday, stating that the race will be decided by the voters in Alabama.
Brooks wrote that Trump sometimes endorses the wrong people, noting that an Alabama-endorsed Trump candidate lost the 2017 Senate race.
Trump’s record in the midterm elections this year is mixed.
Last month, he reaffirmed his kingmaker status by bringing JD Vance (a trailing Senate candidate from Ohio) to the Republican nomination. In Pennsylvania, Trump’s Senate pick was Dr. Mehmet Oz (celebrity heart surgeon), who narrowly defeated his preferred candidate for governor, Doug Mastriano. He said that he would not have certified President Joe Biden winning the state in 2020.
