Election 2020: Trump Urges Alabama Republican Roy Moore To Stand Down In Senate Race

President Trump has asked Alabama Republican Roy Moore not to run for the seat he challenged and lost in 2017, saying Republicans must regain the seat and the president doesn’t believe Moore can win.

Moore, 72, was defeated by Democrat Doug Jones in a special election that drew national attention after nine women made sexual misconduct allegations against him. He contends the Republican establishment is trying to keep him from running, disputing their assessment of his potential loss with, “everybody knows I can win,” the Associated Press reported. The Senate seat became available when Jeff Sessions took over as Attorney General.

“Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama,” Trump posted on Twitter on Wednesday.

Trump supported Moore in 2017 despite the sexual misconduct allegations. Trump said in multiple tweets that he has nothing against Moore but doesn’t believe he can win.

In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Moore indicated he had not made up his mind whether to run, but the president’s concerns would not influence him.

“I think the president is coming under pressure from people in Washington, scared that I will run for the Senate, scared I will win and I know I can win,” Moore said.

Jones, who is expected to defend his seat in 2020, beat Moore by 22,000 of 1.3 million votes cast.

Jones is considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent facing re-election in 2020, in a chamber already controlled by the Republicans by a 53-47 margin.

There are several Republicans in contention for the nomination, including Rep. Bradley Byrne and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville.