U.S. Rep. Barry Moore secured the Republican nomination for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, handily defeating ex-Navy SEAL Jared Hudson.
Moore, who President Donald Trump endorsed, easily won the runoff election with 56% of the vote as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. Hudson captured 44%. Moore also led the field during the May primary, earning about 39% of the vote, compared to Hudson at 26% and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall at 25%.
Moore will be the clear frontrunner in the deep-red state’s general election to succeed U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is seeking the governor’s mansion. He will face Democrat Everett Wess, an lawyer, in the November general election. In the Democratic primary, Wess won 56% of the vote, while his opponent civil rights advocate Dakarai Larriett secured 45%.
“We look forward to working with Senator Britt and Governor Tuberville, because the greatest days of Alabama are ahead of us,” Moore said at his election night watch party in Enterprise.
“When I call (Trump), he takes my calls, and we can work together with the senators, the delegation, and certainly the president of the United States, to make sure that Alabama has an opportunity to bring the jobs back here that we need.”
After putting up a strong fight and even leading in some public polling ahead of the election, Hudson could not garner enough support to overcome the three-term Enterprise congressman. Moore called the last three weeks “brutal” as he faced questions over his military service record.
“Every time I look at my beautiful family, I’m reminded that tough battles are always worth fighting,” Hudson said in a statement conceding the election. “This battle did not go our way, but there will be more.”
Moore leaned heavily on Trump’s endorsement, his legislative record as a member of the House Freedom Caucus and his connection with the White House to propel his campaign to victory.
“I think he’s the greatest president of my lifetime,” the Republican nominee said Tuesday, who first endorsed Trump in 2015.
Moore also had a lofty cash advantage over Hudson, with powerful groups supporting his bid, including a pro-crypto super PAC, which pumped millions into the campaign, and the Washington-based Club for Growth.
The Enterprise native easily won the Wiregrass and south Alabama in the runoff election. He also carried most of North Alabama and much of the state expect for Hudson’s stronghold in the Birmingham area.
Moore’s victory means Alabama could have two U.S. senators from Enterprise next year. During his speech Tuesday night, Moore commented on the fact and highlighted that Sen. Katie Britt and him both attended the same high school. But he said that if elected the pair would work together for the good of the whole state.
Trump remains kingmaker
Moore’s win also gives Trump another notch on his belt for endorsements this cycle. The president has had near universal success in this year’s primaries, with only of two of his preferred candidates, his picks for Iowa and Georgia governor, losing this year.
The Trump-endorsed candidate also won in Alabama’s lieutenant governor race. John Wahl, former Alabama Republican Party chair, easily defeated Secretary of State Wes Allen in the GOP runoff.
Even as support for the president has wavered across the country, it remains strong in Alabama, where about 80% of GOP voters consider themselves fans of the president.
While practically every Republican candidate covets Trump’s endorsement, especially in Alabama, Trump’s record of endorsements in the state’s Senate contest is mixed. But Moore’s win gives the president a boost for his track record in the state.
In 2017, Trump endorsed Sen. Luther Strange early in the race, only to see him lose the GOP primary to Roy Moore. In 2020, Trump endorsed Tommy Tuberville to help him defeat then-Congressman Bradley Byrne and former Sen. and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
And in 2022, Trump endorsed then-Congressman Mo Brooks for Senate, then later rescinded his support when Brooks dropped in the polls and eventually got behind winning candidate Katie Britt.
Brutal final weeks ahead of the runoff
In the final weeks of the campaign, the battle for the Senate race centered on renewed accusations and questions over Moore’s military service history. With the two Republican candidates having a service record, the issue was brought to the forefront in this year’s race.
As Hudson and his allies ramped up attacks against Moore, the congressman’s campaign strongly pushed back and released records to justify his time in the Alabama Army National Guard. But Moore’s campaign also threatened to sue news outlets over asking questions about his record.
Though the swirling questions gained traction in the days leading up to Tuesday, Moore’s service record ultimately did not hurt his ability to earn the GOP nomination.
The general election is Nov. 3.