AL 5: Senate Candidate Draws House Opponsent

​One of the advantages for a sitting House member running in a special US Senate election is being able to compete for the statewide office without having to risk the congressional seat.  Such is the case for Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), but now he is apparently facing a double-edged sword.  Mr. Brooks is an announced and active US Senate candidate, trying to deny appointed Senator Luther Strange (R) electoral confirmation beginning with the August 15th Republican primary.  Yesterday, however, an interesting twist occurred in the future race involving Rep. Brooks’ House seat.
 
Businessman Clayton Hinchman (R), a former US Army Airborne Ranger who was badly wounded in Iraq and appears to be a credible candidate who commands resources, announced that he will run in the regular 2018 primary for Brooks’ 5th Congressional District.  Should Mr. Brooks win the Senate seat, Mr. Hinchman would have a head start on the next congressional campaign.  Now, however, Rep. Brooks is looking at a congressional primary challenge running simultaneously with his US Senate campaign.  Such an unheard of situation sets up some interesting political possibilities and will force Rep. Brooks not only to look ahead in his Senate campaign, but also must protect his political home front against an oncoming challenger.