The senior senator from Alabama, Sen. Richard Shelby Richard Craig ShelbyWhite House pleads with Senate GOP on emergency declaration Pence meets with Senate GOP for 'robust' discussion on Trump declaration Bottom Line MORE (R), said on Wednesday that he will likely write in a name during next month's Alabama special election rather than support GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore.

"I'll vote Republican but I will probably write in a good candidate," Shelby told reporters when asked about his plans for the Dec. 12 election.

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Senate Republicans are increasing pressure on Moore to withdraw from the race. The Republican candidate is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct toward teenage girls.

Shelby has called on Moore to "seriously consider" dropping out.

"Well it's not a good situation. I wish we had another candidate," Shelby added on Wednesday. Shelby endorsed Sen. Luther Strange Luther Johnson StrangeDomestic influence campaigns borrow from Russia’s playbook Overnight Defense: Senate bucks Trump with Yemen war vote, resolution calling crown prince 'responsible' for Khashoggi killing | House briefing on Saudi Arabia fails to move needle | Inhofe casts doubt on Space Force Five things to watch in Mississippi Senate race MORE (R-Ala.) in the primary race. Strange was defeated by Moore.

Moore remains defiant, saying he plans to stay in the race and that he has done nothing wrong.

It's too late for Republicans to remove Moore's name from the ballot, though leadership is exploring a potential write-in option.

Shelby didn't say whose name he would write in, but noted Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsFormer Trump refugee director did not notify superiors about family separation warnings Court rejects challenge to Mueller's appointment Trump says he hasn't spoken to Barr about Mueller report MORE, who left the Senate to join the administration, would be the "ideal candidate."

GOP senators are warning that if Moore wins they will be legally required to seat him. But he would likely face an ethics investigation that could pave the way for an expulsion vote.