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In red state Alabama, Democrats won’t cede Senate race

Candidate Doug Jones chats with constituents before a Democratic Senate candidate forum at the Princess Theatre in Decatur, Ala. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (Jeronimo Nisa /The Decatur Daily via AP)
Candidate Doug Jones chats with constituents before a Democratic Senate candidate forum at the Princess Theatre in Decatur, Ala. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (Jeronimo Nisa /The Decatur Daily via AP) Candidate Doug Jones chats with constituents before a Democratic Senate candidate forum at the Princess Theatre in Decatur, Ala. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (Jeronimo Nisa /The Decatur Daily via AP)

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) – It has been 20 years since Alabama was represented by a Democrat in the U.S. Senate.

Democrats running for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ former Senate seat say they believe its time voters give their party another look.

The Democrats are hoping a series of scandals involving Alabama Republicans and an off-year election will give them a unique opening – particularly if the GOP primary slugfest produces a polarizing nominee.

The seven Democrats seeking the nomination in the Aug. 15 primary include former U.S. attorney Doug Jones; environmentalist Michael Hansen, retired Naval officer Robert Kennedy Jr., professor and pastor Will Boyd; education company executive Jason Fisher; businessman Charles Nana and county constable Vann Caldwell.