ANDALUSIA, Ala. – U.S. Rep. Martha Roby could pay a political price for her criticism of Donald Trump after recordings of him making lewd comments were released during his campaign for president.
Roby said then that Trump’s behavior “makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president” and suggested he step aside to let another Republican lead the presidential ticket.
U.S. Representative Martha Roby pauses to talk with the media while campaigning at a fish fry in Andalusia, Ala., on Wednesday May 30, 2018. (Mickey Welsh /The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)Two years later, her comments have become an issue as she seeks to win the GOP primary and a fifth term representing Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, a conservative swath where loyalty to Trump has become the central issue of the midterm primary.
“She turned on Trump,” said Ted Roberts, a 69-year-old retired banker from New Brocton, explaining why he won’t vote for Roby.
Roby faces primary challenges from Bobby Bright, who represented the district for two years as a Democrat, state Rep. Barry Moore and Rich Hobson, a longtime ally of failed U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore.