Current Affairs

Roy Moore, the most homophobic Senate candidate in recent history, is set to lose

Nov 17 2017
Written by Josh Jackman

BIRMINGHAM, AL - NOVEMBER 16: Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Judge Roy Moore speaks during a news conference with supporters and faith leaders, November 16, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. Moore refused to answer questions regarding sexual harassment allegations and pursuing relationships with underage women. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Roy Moore, the most homophobic Senate candidate in recent memory, is set to lose his race.

His Democratic opponent Doug Jones is leading by eight points in Alabama, a state which has only had Republican senators since 1997.

In the new poll released by Fox News – yes, the one and only – Moore has gone from level with Jones last month to losing by 42% to 50% – well over the 3.5% margin of error.

BIRMINGHAM, AL - NOVEMBER 16: Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Judge Roy Moore waits to speak during a news conference with supporters and faith leaders, November 16, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. Moore refused to answer questions regarding sexual harassment allegations and pursuing relationships with underage women. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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This seems to be a direct result of the backlash from sexual misconduct allegations made by nine women against the disgraced former judge.

Among the accusers was Leigh Corfman, who said she was sexually abused by Moore when he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.

Moore, who believes that homosexuality should be illegal, was allegedly banned from his local mall in Alabama because of his behaviour towards teenage girls.

Beverly Young Nelson, one of Moore’s nine accusers (Getty)

And it seems that despite Moore stubbornly staying in the race, the tide has started to turn against the 70-year-old.

Alabama has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1976, meaning that a Democratic win would be momentous.

It would also reduce the Republican majority in the Senate to 51-49, a potentially significant swing.

Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader of the Senate, has called on Moore to step down, together with more than 20 other Republican senators and congressman.

BIRMINGHAM, AL - NOVEMBER 16: Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Judge Roy Moore listens to a question during a news conference with supporters and faith leaders, November 16, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. Moore refused to answer questions regarding sexual harassment allegations and pursuing relationships with underage women. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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The Republican National Committee has also cut all ties with Moore.

Donald Trump has opted for the lesser option, stating through Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders that Moore should step aside “if these allegations are true”.

This is in stark contrast to his reaction to revelations yesterday that Democratic senator Al Franken made inappropriate sexual advances on radio host Leeann Tweeden.

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The US President has of course also rejected allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by 16 women.

Moore was previously enthusiastically backed in the race by Trump, despite his many hateful remarks.

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The special election between Moore and Democratic Party candidate Doug Jones, which follows Attorney General Jeff Sessions vacating the seat, is set for December 12.

Moore has denied all the allegations made against him.