By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com (Photo by Spencer Williams | Alabama Secretary of State's Office)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Tuesday, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced his campaign to unseat incumbent Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) in next year’s election for the United States Senate. 

“Republicans need to nominate for the United States Senate who’s a proven winner and fights hard every day for our people,” stated Merrill in his announcement video. “Doug Jones does not represent Alabama values and we must replace him with a proven conservative winner.”

Last week via Twitter, Secretary Merrill confirmed that he had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run. 

Merrill has served as Alabama Secretary of State since 2015. He served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from Tuscaloosa from 2011 to 2015. 

The primary election will be held on March 3.