Alabama Senate Matchup Set

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AllPolitics, June 26) -- Alabama voters have chosen the candidates who will compete in November to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Howell Heflin.

In Tuesday's runoff election, on the Democratic side, state Sen. Roger Bedford handily beat U.S. Rep Glen Browder by a 63-37 percent margin. On the Republican side, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was victorious gainst state Sen. Sid McDonald, 60-40 percent.

Sessions, in preparation for the fall, immediately tried to paint Bedford as a captive of special interests whose views are closer to national Democrats than Alabama voters. Bedford in turn rapped Sessions for not debating McDonald, his runoff opponent.

"A conservative Democrat can win this seat and hold it," Bedford told the Associated Press. "He's (Sessions) not going to be able to duck and hide. ... We're going to talk about the issues."

Heflin, 75, was elected in 1978. His age and the increasingly Republican tint to political life in Alabama were factors in his decision to step down.

Related Story:

• Runoffs Set In Alabama Senate Race -- June 5, 1996

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