Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) “wields an endorsement from the president of the United States, is the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar campaign from allies of Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, and has the backing of influential conservative interest groups like the National Rifle Association,” the New York Times reports.

“But Mr. Strange is wheezing into Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary here. He is grasping to secure a second-place finish and a slot in a September runoff with Roy S. Moore, the twice-deposed former State Supreme Court justice and evangelical-voter favorite who is expected to be the top vote-getter but may fall short of the majority needed to win outright.”

A new Cygnal/L2 poll in Alabama shows Judge Roy Moore leading Sen. Luther Strange in the GOP Senate race, 31% to 23%, followed by Rep. Mo Brooks at 18%.

President Trump is backing Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) in next week’s special election saying on Twitter that he “has my complete and total endorsement.”

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said he is projecting that 20% to 25% of voters will go to the polls on August 15, the AP reports.

“Merrill said a typical primary brings turnout of 30% to 32%. The closely watched race features crowded fields and heated matchups, particularly on the Republican side. However, the late summer special election comes at a time that state voters aren’t accustomed to going to the polls.”

A new JMC Analytics poll in Alabama finds Roy Moore leading the Republican field for the U.S. Senate primary with 30%, followed by Sen, Luther Strange at 22%, Rep. Mo Brooks at 19% and  Trip Pittman at 6%.

A new RRH Elections poll in Alabama shows former State Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore (R) edging appointed Sen. Luther Strange (R), 31% to 29%, with Rep. Mo Brooks (R) in third with 18%. Two other candidates are in the single digits.

The top two finishers will compete in a runoff. Moore leads Strange in a runoff as well, 34% to 32%, with 35% still undecided.

Politico: “The Republican leader is aiming to thwart Rep. Mo Brooks and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore in a special election in Alabama next month. Both men are campaigning against McConnell as a despised symbol of the establishment — and both would exacerbate his already stiff challenge wrangling his GOP conference. McConnell is responding in kind.”

“His super PAC is set to spend much as $8 million to boost his favored candidate, recently-appointed Republican Sen. Luther Strange. McConnell has activated his sprawling donor network and pressed the White House for more resources. And the [NRSC], the Senate GOP campaign arm which McConnell controls, has warned consultants they’ll be cut off from future work if they assist Strange’s opponents.”

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) said he is “seriously’’ considering challenging Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) in an upcoming special election and has even conducted a poll to see where he stands, the Montgomery Advertiser reports.

Brooks said he’s had a six-person poll conducted that showed Roy Moore (R) in first with about 30%, Strange in second with about 20% and him in third with low double digits. He said three others trailed with single digits.

“With less than 10 weeks of Capitol Hill experience under his belt, Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL) suddenly faces a special-election primary in just four months and with far more serious vulnerabilities,” National Journal reports.

“Gov. Kay Ivey (R) on Tuesday moved up the special election for the seat from 2018 to 2017. The decision came a week after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned amid a scandal involving an alleged affair, and the messy exit is renewing concerns about Strange’s Senate appointment.”

“Alabama Republicans predicted that the earlier election timeline would result in a crowded, free-for-all primary that would leave Strange significantly more at risk.”