Doug Jones is the closest thing that Alabama Democrats have had to a "titular head" of the party in three decades. His appearance on the campaign trail this year will likely bring attention, and dollars, to Democratic hopefuls looking to make inroads in a GOP-dominated state.

But how much campaigning does Jones, who will face his own re-election battle in 2020, plan to do this year? And does Jones plan on injecting himself into the campaign ahead of the June 5 party primaries?

On Monday, the first Democratic U.S. Senator from Alabama since 1992, offered some clues.

"I'll be active," Jones said, during a stop in Mobile which was the first of a five-day swing through the state. It is his first statewide tour since being elected to the Senate.

"I'm trying to do things right now that ensure good candidates are out there," he said. "We'll have a competitive election this year for the first time in a long time, and that is good for the state."

'Endorsements'

Jones did not dismiss queries about whether he'll get politically involved prior to the primaries. Asked his plans to endorse any of the June 5 candidates, the senator replied: "I would imagine there will be some endorsements. I will play that by ear. You've heard me say that ... This state needs a competitive two-party system. We need both parties to be competitive and to earn votes of the electorate. When you earn the votes of this electorate, this state can move forward in a good and positive way."

Not surprisingly, the Democratic candidates for governor are jostling for Jones's approval.

Said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox: "Senator Jones' endorsement will carry significant weight because of his character and his reputation for what is right and possible when we find common ground," said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.

Said Sue Bell Cobb, a former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice: "I look forward to working with Senator Jones in support of quality candidates who reach for the middle in order to get things done."

Cobb, though, said she anticipates Jones being active in the campaign after the June 5 primaries. "I have no doubt that once the primaries have concluded, Doug will be back home working to ensure we have a Democratic governor elected in 2018," she said.

James Fields, a former state lawmaker who also seeks the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, said he anticipates Jones backing the candidate chosen by the party's voters June 5.

"We supported Senator Jones with everything we had," said Fields, a longtime Cullman County Democrat. "We put our campaign on hold to make sure we elected someone who would be a champion for all of Alabama. And I am hoping that after the primary -- and we will be successful -- that he would do like we did in his bid for senator."

Jess Brown, a retired political science professor from Athens State University, said he would be "very surprised" to see a Jones endorsement ahead of the primaries. "You have to keep in mind, in Alabama, he is an individual who represents by far the weaker of the two political parties," said Brown. "It absolutely behooves him to keep every faction and every activist within the Democratic Party. It's not one that you can divide and win."

Brown said that the risk of pre-primary endorsements is creating "intraparty squabbles" ahead of a general election in which Republicans will be viewed as favorites to win most contests.

If Jones holds off endorsement until after the primaries, Brown believes that Democrats could reap fundraising benefits.

In the opinion of Steve Flowers, a political columnist for approximately 60 newspapers in Alabama, Jones is the most popular politician among the party's base since Attorney General Bill Baxley in the 1970s and '80s.

"He's the only successful Democrat to win statewide in years," said Flowers about Jones. But, Flowers adds a caveat: He doubts that a Jones endorsement "carries any weight" other than to generate dollars.

Flowers noted that Alabama voters, historically, tend to pay little attention to endorsements. For example, President Donald Trump endorsed Luther Strange ahead of last year's GOP primary for U.S. Senate. Strange advanced to the GOP runoff, but lost badly to Republican Roy Moore.

Trump, days before the Dec. 12 special election, endorsed Moore over Jones.

In 2007, Gov. Bob Riley endorsed Republican Randy McKinney - then a member of the state Board of Education - during a special election for the state Senate District 32 seat in Baldwin County. Voters, instead, elected Trip Pittman to the office.

In 1978, Baxley, running for governor, won the endorsement of University of Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Voters, instead, elected political newcomer and former Auburn University football star Fob James.

Flowers notes that even George Wallace, during his heyday of popularity, couldn't always sway voters toward candidates he'd endorsed.

In the present era, Flowers believes that the new generation of black politicians - such as newly elected Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin or U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell - may have more political sway in mobilizing their constituencies behind one candidate or another.

'Grassroots'

Jones supporters believe that his strongest campaign effects in 2018 will be felt at the grassroots.

"The Alabama Democratic Party does not solely consist of Doug Jones, but here you have a real leader," said Zac McCrary, a Democratic pollster based in Montgomery. "It has helped in rebuilding a party that has laid dormant for the past decade. At this moment in time, you have new, real energy for the grassroots movement."

Maddox and Cobb also said that the excited base is a lingering benefit from last year's high-profile Senate race. And State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Worley said that the enthusiasm has led to the largest field of Democratic candidates for office in Alabama in a long time.

"Doug's win has created a new energy that our campaign is seeing in terms of volunteers and donors who believe in what is possible," Maddox said.

Added Cobb: "Jones' victory in December laid the groundwork ... Doug's election proved that a Democrat can win in Alabama which has energized candidates, grassroots organizers and donors."

Jones, himself, said his goal is to back candidates who are consensus-builders.

"I want to see candidates from both parties willing to work with each other who will work with one another and not talk down to each other and say, 'It's my way or the highway,'" Jones said. "I think the people of Alabama in December said that, 'We want to see people get things done.' My message is going to be take that into 2018 and make sure Alabama continues to put its best foot forward regardless of who you vote for."