Roy Moore, Alabama Judge Accused Of Sexual Misconduct, Running For Senate In 2020 Despite Strong Trump Opposition

Roy Moore, the controversial Republican former Alabama judge who was accused of sexually harassing dozens of young girls, announced Thursday he launch a second Senate campaign in 2020 despite strong opposition from within his own party.

Even President Donald Trump recently advised 72-year-old Moore not to run for Senate next year. Moore previously ran for the U.S. Senate in Alabama in 2017 but lost to Democratic former U.S. Attorney and prosecutor Doug Jones. Moore contested the results of that special election and never officially conceded his loss. Several women had alleged Moore had sexually harassed or assaulted them when they were teenagers, and he denied the claims.

“The people of Alabama are not only angry, but they’re going to act on that anger,” Moore, a former chief justice of the State Supreme Court, said in Montgomery on Thursday. “The people of Alabama are tired of politicians saying one thing and doing another.”

Moore added he feared Senate Republicans and several other prominent conservatives in Washington would likely try to mount a “smear campaign” against him. The former judge lost to Jones by 21,924 votes in 2017 after the latter earned strong support from female and minority Alabama residents. Jones’ victory was historic because he became the first Alabama Democrat elected to the Senate in 25 years.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Moore, a former district attorney in Alabama, is a religious man who has vehemently opposed same-sex marriage and who has made controversial statements about Islam and the 9/11 terror attacks.

Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr. also blasted Moore for his decision to seek a second Senate bid.

“It’s time to ride off into the sunset, Judge,” he wrote.