In heated high-profile election campaigns, one of the realities is the ever-present threat of ambush video tactics for the candidates.
Last week, before and after the Houston County Republican Women's Club meeting in Dothan, Durant was subject to one of those efforts in which a so-called tracker asked Durant why he would not denounce the Lincoln Project.
A 'tracker' is a person, typically employed by a competing campaign, whose job it is to follow the opposing side's candidate and record what they do and say in hope of gathering information about that candidate that might make people less willing to vote for them.
The Lincoln Project is an anti-Trump PAC led by Florida-based consultant Rick Wilson and political strategist Reed Galen. The group takes a very aggressive tack against Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump and for that reason is viewed negatively by many Trump supporters.
The video obtained by 1819 News on Saturday shows a stone-faced Durant ignoring the question both before and after the event.
Durant has previously denied any association with the Lincoln Project.
Responses to the video and accusations between Republican U.S. Senate candidates quickly developed across social media.
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) declared his denunciation of the Lincoln Project and their alleged support of Durant in a tweet.
I denounce the Lincoln Project and their support of Mike Durant. https://t.co/62evboEfMk
— Mo Brooks (@MoBrooks) April 30, 2022
Durant later accused the Katie Britt campaign of resorting to "stupid Twitter games" and "stalking" Durant in a post to Twitter.
He also claimed Britt had not denounced Black Lives Matter or addressed election integrity.
Chief of Staff Katie Boyd Britt has resorted to stupid Twitter games and stalking Mike with her staff. #BLMKBB @KatieBrittforAL refuses to say the election was stolen but will say she stands with Black Lives Matter. @jeff_poor #alsen #alpolitics
— Mike Durant (@MikeDurantAL) April 30, 2022
Britt derided Durant for both his refusal to participate in an Alabama Republican Party-sanctioned debate and for declining to denounce the Lincoln Project.
Mike Durant declined @ALGOP’s debate invitation and now he declined to denounce the Lincoln Project.
— Katie Britt for AL (@KatieBrittforAL) April 30, 2022
The reason is the same for both — the California backers pulling his strings won’t let him. #alsen https://t.co/EUSLUm8ggI
Britt also replied to Durant's earlier tweet by questioning Durant's justification for declining a debate invitation and decision not to denounce the Lincoln Project.
Not sure what’s a bigger lie — this tweet or you pretending you’d debate. #alsen
— Katie Britt for AL (@KatieBrittforAL) April 30, 2022
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
