Roy Moore eyes governor’s race

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Ousted Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore said yesterday he is considering running for governor in 2006.

“I’ll be praying about it and considering it,” he told reporters.

Mr. Moore was ousted in November 2003 for defying a federal judge’s order to remove his 5,280-pound Ten Commandments monument from public display in the state judicial building. He appealed his ouster to the U.S. Supreme Court, but lost.

If Mr. Moore were to run as a Republican, he could face a primary battle with Gov. Bob Riley, who has not yet said whether he will seek a second term.

Mr. Moore and Mr. Riley stood together on the Ten Commandments issue last year until Mr. Moore refused to abide by the federal judge’s order. Mr. Riley said a public official must respect a court order. The monument was removed.

The U.S. Supreme Court said in October that it will consider next year whether the Ten Commandments may be displayed on government property.

Courts around the country have splintered over whether such displays violate the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.