MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Despite dropping out of Alabama’s U.S. Senate race earlier this week, Morgan Murphy’s name will still appear on the Republican primary ballot in May, a judge ruled.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge James Anderson dismissed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Wes Allen about Murphy’s name appearing on the ballot. It was brought by Murphy, fellow candidate and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore and Troy Carico, a military veteran and advocate.
“Upon considering the briefing and the arguments of counsel, the court finds that while plaintiff Morgan Murphy has the right to withdraw and votes for him in the upcoming May 19, 2026 Primary Election should not be canvassed based on his intent to withdraw, the withdrawal notice was improperly submitted by Murphy and therefore did not require election officials to remove his name from the ballots under Ala. Code § 17-6-21,” Anderson’s ruling reads.
To be removed from a party primary ballot, a candidate has to withdraw with their party. The party would then go on to certify the withdrawal of its nominee to the secretary of state by a set deadline.
Allen’s office said in a press release that they received no certification of Murphy’s exit from the Alabama Republican Party. The judge further ruled that Allen and other election officials acted in accordance with Alabama law.
County officials are currently preparing ballots to ensure they’re ready for absentee voting, including for military and overseas voters.
“I followed the law to the letter,” Allen said in a press release. “It is unfortunate that the court’s time had to be spent resolving an issue that Alabama law already makes crystal clear.”
Murphy’s exit from the race came after President Donald Trump endorsed his opponent U.S. Rep. Barry Moore in January. Murphy said in a video announcing his decision that “Republicans don’t need to waste time or money fighting one another.” He also said Trump “deserves the senator he wants in Washington, D.C.”
The former Trump administration official and national security advisor to Sen. Tommy Tuberville entered the race in September and raised more than $1 million in his bid.
Murphy endorsed Moore in the video and said he will now focus on flipping one of Alabama’s U.S. House seats, but did not say which. Candidate qualifying for the 2026 elections ended in January.
The primary is May 19.