Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump discouraging Roy Moore from running for U.S. Senate again in 2020. (all times local):
10:55 a.m.
Alabama Republican Roy Moore is insisting he can win a Senate rematch in 2020, and says he won't be influenced by President Donald Trump's tweets urging him not to try.
Trump backed Moore in 2017, but he tweeted Wednesday that Moore "cannot win" this time.
Moore responded in an Associated Press interview on Wednesday, saying "everybody knows" he can win. He's blaming establishment Republicans in Washington for trying to keep him out of the Senate.
Moore says Trump's tweets won't influence his decision as his weighs whether to enter the 2020 race. He's still planning to announce his decision in June.
The former Chief Justice on Alabama's Supreme Court lost the 2017 race to Democrat Doug Jones amid accusations of sexual misconduct.
___
10 a.m.
Former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore says he can win the 2020 U.S. Senate election if he enters the Alabama race, and will not be will influenced by President Donald Trump's comments urging him not to seek the seat.
Moore said told the Associated Press Wednesday that establishment Republicans don't want him to enter the 2020 Senate race because "everybody knows I can win."
Trump, who backed Moore in 2017 tweeted Wednesday that Moore "cannot win."
"I think the President is coming under pressure from people in Washington scared I will run for the Senate, scared I will win and know I can win," Moore said Wednesday in a telephone interview.
Moore said Trump's comments will not influence his decision whether to enter the 2020 race. He said he will announce his decision in June.
Moore lost the 2017 Senate race to Democrat Doug Jones amid accusations of sexual misconduct.
___ 7:19 a.m.
President Donald Trump warned Wednesday the "consequences will be devastating" if Alabama Republican Roy Moore, whose 2017 U.S. Senate campaign was battered by allegations of long-ago sexual harassment of teenagers, seeks the seat again in 2020.
Moore lost in the once-reliably red state in a 2017 special election amid the sexual misconduct allegations , which he denied. He told The Associated Press earlier this month that he is considering another campaign next year.
Trump, who backed Moore in 2017 despite the allegations, tweeted "I have NOTHING against Roy Moore," but warned that "Roy Moore cannot win." He adds that if Democrat Doug Jones retains the seat in 2020 "many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost."
Trump's comments come as national Republicans have tried to keep Moore out of the race.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
