(RightWing.org) – On February 8, 2021, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) announced his retirement, ending his more than four-decade career on Capitol Hill. Shelby endorsed his former chief of staff, Katie Britt, in the GOP primary for his seat in June 2021 and recently said he would pour millions into her campaign to help her ride the red tide of Republican hopefuls during the upcoming midterms.
Shelby reportedly had more than $9 million in his war chest left from former campaigns. Recent news reports indicate the retiring senator is preparing to transfer as much as $6 million into a super PAC supporting Britt’s campaign.
The Republican primary race is expected to end in a run-off election, and Shelby told reporters he intends to do whatever is necessary to guarantee Britt a place on the run-off ballot.
Report: @SenShelby to dump ‘millions’ in U.S. Senate race for @KatieBrittforAL #ALSen #alpolitics
By @DylanSmithAL https://t.co/aYlWlx79zR— Yellowhammer News (@yhn) March 18, 2022
Britt is locked in a primary battle with Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) and US Army veteran pilot Mike Durant. Brooks’ campaign has been faltering to the extent that former President Donald Trump recently told the Washington Examiner he was considering dropping his previous endorsement.
Former Army pilot and Desert Storm veteran Durant’s campaign is currently on the rise. However, his status as a John McCain protégé and an apparent supporter of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) put him at odds with Trump and the Make America Great Again crowd.
Republicans only need to pick up one Senate seat to regain control of the chamber, assuming they keep the ones they already have, like Shelby’s in Alabama. That means this race to replace him is key to a GOP red tide in the upcoming midterms.
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