US President Donald Trump’s pick in the Alabama Republican Senate runoff crashed to defeat Tuesday against a populist former judge, likely sending shockwaves through establishment Washington and denting the president’s influence over his restless political base. Perhaps sensing that, Trump quickly swung behind the winner, former Alabama state chief justice Roy Moore, calling him to offer congratulations. Strange was appointed to the US Senate earlier this year to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, whom Trump picked to be his attorney general. “Because of you, tonight, the establishment has been DEFEATED in Alabama!” he posted on Twitter. Moore now becomes the heavy favourite in Alabama’s special election to be held in December against Democratic nominee Doug Jones.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 27, 2017 12:56 UTC