
Religion is a massively important part of Alabama politics, and of Roy Moore’s campaign for Senate. But some of the pastors he claims endorse him now deny they did.

Much attention has been given to the fact that even in the wake of Roy Moore’s pedophilia accusations, the religious right — a dominant political force in Alabama — remains steadfastly loyal to him. And polls have indeed shown that white, conservative evangelical support for him is still disturbingly high.

However, Moore’s support within religious communities is not quite as strong as he has touted. In fact, it turns out that he and his wife may be lying about having the endorsement of several pastors and churches.

On Sunday, Moore’s wife, Kayla, published an endorsement letter from over 50 pastors to her Facebook page, which fiercely defended Moore from the child molestation scandal:

For decades, Roy Moore has been an immovable rock in the culture wars ― a bold defender of the ‘little guy,’ a just judge to those who came before his court, a warrior for the unborn child, defender of the sanctity of marriage, and a champion for religious liberty.


But less than a day after the letter was published, it was revealed that this was simply a copy of a letter posted to Moore’s campaign website during the Senate primary, before he was accused of being a pedophile — with three new sentences deceptively added to make it look like it was about the general election.

One of the people on the list is not even pastoring the church mentioned anymore. And according to Al.com, two of the pastors on the list immediately demanded to be removed: Tijuanna Adetunji of the Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Montgomery, and Thad Endicott of the Heritage Baptist Church.

For Moore and his wife to edit an endorsement letter, and then tout it without the permission of the pastors who are supposedly endorsing him, is yet another new low in a Senate race that seems to have no bottom.

Moore’s antics have now become so poisonous to the GOP brand that Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, called for expelling him from the Senate if he wins. Meanwhile, one recent poll showed Democratic Senate opponent and civil rights hero Doug Jones tied, and another showed Moore actually down by 4 points.

Faced with eroding support from the Alabama GOP’s conservative religious base, Moore is bearing false witness. The people of Alabama deserve a senator who respects them enough to tell the truth.