Trump says Strange narrowing gap in Alabama polls since his endorsement

President Trump said on Thursday that Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) is closing the gap in the polls since he endorsed him, despite Strange trailing his opponent in the Senate Republican primary runoff, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. 

“Senator Luther Strange has gone up a lot in the polls since I endorsed him a month ago. Now a close runoff. He will be great in D.C.,” Trump tweeted. 

Senator Luther Strange has gone up a lot in the polls since I endorsed him a month ago. Now a close runoff. He will be great in D.C.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 21, 2017

The tweet comes ahead of Tuesday’s runoff, which will decide who will represent the GOP in the race to serve out the remained of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s term. Strange, the state’s former attorney general, was appointed to the seat earlier this year by then-Gov. Robert Bentley (R)

The two candidates were debating in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday night when Trump sent his tweet.

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Moore was leading Strange by double digits in August. The gap has narrowed, but recent polling still shows Moore ahead of Strange.

Polling averages show Moore leading Strange by 9 points, according to The Washington Post.

Moore won the first round of primary voting in August, with 39 percent.

Strange is considered the GOP establishment candidate in the race, and Trump’s decision to endorse him has put him on the same side side as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who typically backs Republican incumbents against primary challengers.

The president has advocated for Strange on Twitter since. 

Alabama is sooo lucky to have a candidate like “Big” Luther Strange. Smart, tough on crime, borders & trade, loves Vets & Military. Tuesday!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 20, 2017

Trump’s choice puts him opposite his former chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, who as the head of Breitbart News has been working to get Moore elected.

The president is set to campaign in Huntsville, Ala., for Strange on Saturday, while former White House aide Sebastian Gorka, who used to work at Breitbart with Bannon, will campaign for Moore this weekend.