Tuberville spokesperson demands primary challenges for GOPers who oppose military holds

A spokesperson for Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) asked anti-abortion groups to spread the message that GOP senators could be primaried if they support an effort to defeat his military holds regarding a Pentagon abortion policy, Politico reported Thursday.

The message pointed out that Tuberville is worried that at least nine Republicans might join Democrats in their effort to bypass his holds.

“In my opinion, it is imperative for all of the groups to make clear, in some words, that any Republican who votes for this will be primaried,” Tuberville’s communications director Steven Stafford wrote. “In my view, if enough mushy middle Republicans come out in opposition, then this is over. But they only need nine squishes. And they will get there if we don’t act.”

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When contacted by Politico, Stafford denied he was calling for Republicans to be primaried.

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“That was a private email to a small group of people I thought were my friends, I was giving my personal opinion,” Stafford told Politico. ”It is not the opinion of Coach, it was not on behalf of Coach. He was not aware of the email, and I have apologized to him for that.”

Read the full report at Politico.