Roy Moores secret, powerful constituency
Roy Moore lost his job as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court twice. But in the process, he gained a fiercely loyal following likely to propel him to a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Polls show Moore leading Sen. Luther Strange (R) in advance of Tuesday’s runoff election for the Republican nomination for Strange’s seat. That lead has held despite millions in spending by Strange’s allies and even President Trump’s endorsement.
If Moore makes it through the runoff, and over Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the December special election, he will owe a debt of political gratitude to an army of evangelicals — and specifically Southern Baptists — who see him as a hero in the culture wars that have shaken social conservatives in recent years.
"He doesn't have to say he's associated with the church," said Steve Flowers, a longtime Alabama political analyst. "It is the only issue he has. The evangelical voter is so pronounced in Alabama that it surpasses the Tea Party. That's the reason Moore will win the race."
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/352172-roy-moores-secret-powerful-constituency