Politics & Government
Alabama Write-In Votes Pick Jesus, Nick Saban, Bugs Bunny
"Any other Republican" also appeared among the write-ins, along with "Anybody," ''A better choice," and "Any other."
MONTGOMERY, AL — Some Alabamans were not happy with their choices for U.S. Senate in the December special election. About 22,000 voters decided not to go with Republican Roy Moore or Democrat Doug Jones, but instead chose to write in their preferred candidate — apparently with little regard to whether that individual was interested in the job.
Among those garnering write-in votes were God, Bugs Bunny and Chuck Norris.
Since the 22,000 write-in votes surpassed the 20,715-vote margin with which Jones defeated Moore, they played a key role in the election of the an Alabama Democrat to the Senate for the first time in a quarter-century.
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More than 22,000 write-in ballots were cast on Dec. 12, according to the Alabama Secretary of State's office — a greater number than the by which Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore.
Incumbent Luther Strange, who lost to Moore in the Republican primary, led the write-in race with more than 5,800 votes, Al.com reported. He was followed by former White House aide Lee Busby; U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who also ran in the GOP Senate primary; Libertarian write-in candidate Ron Bishop; Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who left the Senate when President Donald Trump appointed him; and Alabama football coach Nick Saban.
Find out what's happening in Across Alabamafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The newspaper reported that "Any other Republican" also appeared among the write-ins, along with "Anybody," ''A better choice," and "Any other." Jesus Christ had votes in double digits.
Some write-in votes went to dead men, including two Confederate generals and a segregationist Georgia governor: Robert E. Lee, "Ghost of Stonewall Jackson" and George Wallace.
The newspaper said write-ins were counted from about 30 of 67 counties.
Other cartoon characters getting write-in votes included Mickey Mouse, Snow White, SpongeBob Square Pants, and Snoopy. A Madison County voter went for a muppet: Kermit the Frog.
Phil Robertson, patriarch of the reality TV show "Duck Dynasty," got write-in votes in at least 10 counties, with multiple votes in some.
'Bama's elephant mascot, Big Al, and even LSU football coach Ed Orgeron also found write-in backing.
So did billboard-advertising personal injury attorney Alexander Shunnarah, local ABC weatherman James Spann, singers Jimmy Buffett and Travis Tritt, and actor and former California mayor Clint Eastwood.
And Santa Claus.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images