Controversial appointment clouds US Senate race in Alabama

(AP) — Alabama Sen. Luther Strange got his appointment to Congress earlier this year from a governor who later resigned under the cloud of an ethics scandal.

The sex-tainted scandal that ended Bentley's political career is dragging into the U.S. Senate race as rivals try to capitalize on what they see as Strange's Achilles heel.

"Luther Strange, Mr. Corruption himself," Dr. Randy Brinson, a Montgomery doctor, who is running in the crowded GOP field, said during a recent press conference.

Legislators launched an impeachment probe over whether state resources were misused and complaints were filed to the state ethics commission.

Strange said he opened an investigation into what he called the "dueling allegations" between Bentley and his former law enforcement secretary Spencer Collier, who exposed Bentley's relationship.

The state's new governor moved up the election to 2017 where Strange faces a crowded field of challengers including U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and state Sen. Trip Pittman.