U.S. Senate runoff candidates Jared Hudson and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore appealed to Republican Shelby County voters Tuesday, highlighting the issues they would tackle if they win the seat.
About 200 people gathered to hear from a range of Republican statewide candidates during the candidate forum in Pelham.
In his opening and closing remarks, Moore leaned on his record and connection with President Donald Trump to make the case to voters as to why he should prevail in the runoff election. Moore received about 40% of the vote in the May 19 primary.
“The president endorsed me because he’s seen me in the fire,” Moore, R-Enterprise, said.
Political newcomer Jared Hudson argued that Alabama needs an outsider to shake up Washington. He received about 26% of the primary vote.
“If you want different results, somebody who can take your issues to Washington and not bring the stupidity of Washington back here to you, the people of Alabama, send a warrior to Washington,” Hudson said.
As an ex-Navy SEAL, Hudson addressed what federal lawmakers have gotten wrong about national security.
“We have a bunch of pencil neck politicians who have never been in a fistfight, much less a gunfight, sending our kids to war,” he said. “For far too long, these neocons have controlled this country, and we have to make sure that we elect representatives that understand the cost every time they sign a piece of paper to send somebody to war.”
During the forum, Moore said he supports a total ban on stock trading by members of Congress, including one that applies to all politicians. The congressman has traded a total of $131,000 worth of stocks since 2021, according to Quiver Quantitative, a site that tracks lawmakers’ trading. He last bought Bitcoin in 2024.
“I will support a ban on all politicians trading stocks, because a lot of times in those situations they get committee information,” Moore said.
On bringing accountability to the nation’s capital, Hudson said he would ensure that he did not forget that his home is in Alabama with his family. He added that he would work to build coalitions with like-minded lawmakers.
“Making sure that you don’t become part of the swamp when you’re taking on the swamp is of the utmost importance,” he said.
Moore highlighted his recent introduction of the Americans First Immigration Act, which codifies five of Trump’s executive orders on immigration, to show how he’s working to advance the conservative agenda.
“With this act that we’re dropping right now, it’s going to actually require that folks contribute to our economy (when they immigrate),” he said.
Both candidates will face off in the June 16 runoff. Democrats Everett Wess and Dakarai Larriett are also headed to a runoff election for U.S. Senate.