Alabama AG named to Jeff Sessions' former Senate seat

(AP) — Alabama's governor on Thursday named state Attorney General Luther Strange, a well-connected Republican and former Washington lobbyist, to the U.S. Senate seat left empty by Jeff Sessions.

The appointment comes two months after Strange asked the Alabama House Judiciary Committee to pause an impeachment probe of Bentley, who was accused last year of having an affair with a onetime top political adviser.

Strange, sometimes referred to as "Big Luther" because of his 6-foot-9 frame, announced last year his intentions to run for the coveted Senate seat regardless of whether he got the interim appointment.

The lawmaker who spearheaded the legislative impeachment effort against Strange, state Rep. Ed Henry, said his appointment to the Senate seat "looks bad."

On Thursday, Strange defended his decision to pause the impeachment investigation, saying a Nov. 3 letter to the Alabama House committee was sent "before there was even a presidential election."

Under Strange's direction, Alabama also was one of 25 states that challenged then President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.