By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com 

ALABAMA — After months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville will finally meet in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate next week. 

The race was originally scheduled for March 31, but was pushed back to July 14 because of the impact of COVID-19 on the State of Alabama. 

President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville in March over his former Attorney General, with whom he has a tense relationship, due to Sessions recusing himself from the investigation on whether or not Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election.

According to results provided by Decision Desk HQ, Tuberville held a narrow margin in the initial March 3 primary over Sessions at 33.39% to 31.65%. An internal poll conducted by OnMessage in May found Sessions trailing Tuberville 49% to 43%. Tuberville also leads Sessions in the final fundraising report before Election Day with the coach raising $652,389 while spending $663,004 and $448,204 cash-on-hand. Sessions reported $439,639 raised, $688,639 spent and more than $500,000 cash-on-hand. 

Both men are vying to face incumbent Democrat Doug Jones (D-Ala.) in November. A recent poll by ALG Research from June 18-22 shows a tight race for Jones no matter who he faces this year. In the poll, Tuberville led Jones by one percent, 45-44, and Sessions was locked in a dead heat with the freshman Democrat at 44 percent each. The poll had a margin of error of ± 4 percent.

In addition to the U.S. Senate race, Republican voters will also choose between Beth Kellum and Will Smith for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place No. 2. There is no Democratic runoff in DeKalb County.