Jeff Sessions

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions makes remarks at the University of South Alabama 50th Anniversary Grand Celebration Friday, May 3, 2013, in the Mitchell Center on the university's campus in Mobile, Ala. (AL.com file)

Alabama's Jeff Sessions - one of the most courted and often mentioned elected officials in the 2016 Republican presidential race - hasn't announced his pick for the White House. He appears to be moving closer to an endorsement, however, according to a recent interview with political commentator Laura Ingraham of LifeZette.

In the interview, Ingraham asked Sessions which Republican candidate best mirrored his own opinions on the critical issues of immigration and trade.

"I happened to catch Trump yesterday in his Atlanta speech. I thought he was very clear, and very strong on trade. Nobody is close to that as of this date, I have to say," Sessions said. "(Trump) has validated my view that the American people will respond if these issues are properly discussed with them, and nobody really did until Trump, and he surged to the top."

Trump reportedly consulted with Sessions before releasing his immigration plan and the two have been linked for a while. As recently as last month, Sessions' senior communications director Stephen Miller left the Senator's office to be Trump's senior political adviser.

Alabama's junior senator has remained noncommittal, although in a Politico story last month, Sessions indicated he was trying to decide between Trump and fellow Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Like Trump, Cruz has often referenced Sessions, who is the chair of the Senate's immigration committee.

"I don't have any plans. I have no agenda to make any announcement any time soon. I don't know if I can help or might hurt a candidate," Sessions told Politico. "But fundamentally I think Trump and Cruz are at the top of the heap."

Sessions has left out the third leading GOP candidate - Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Sessions told Ingraham Rubio's stance on trade and immigration move him outside of what he could support. When asked by Ingraham if Rubio's positions would preclude an endorsement, Sessions said "I think that's fair to say."

Cabinet post?

Would Sessions be interested in a cabinet post if Trump is elected? He didn't rule it out.

"I believe that with regard to lawfulness, immigration, and trade, good people, working for a strong president, can make a huge and positive difference," he told Ingraham.