Winner Announced In Hotly-Contested GOP Primary

Rep. Barry Moore rode President Donald Trump’s endorsement to victory Tuesday night, winning Alabama’s Republican Senate runoff and advancing to the general election in the race for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

The three-term congressman defeated former Navy SEAL and political newcomer Jared Hudson in a closely watched showdown that served as another test of Trump’s influence inside the GOP. Two Democrats were also locked in a separate runoff for the Senate seat.

Tuberville is leaving the Senate to run for governor in November.

Trump’s endorsed candidates have largely dominated Republican primaries this year, and despite some polls showing a tight race in Alabama, Moore ultimately won by 18 points.

Speaking to supporters after his win, Barry Moore highlighted his close relationship with the president, saying that “when I call him, he takes my calls,” while urging Republicans not to become complacent heading into November.

“We’ve got the White House. We’ve got a delegation that’s pretty conservative, but it’s vitally important that we show up and vote,” Moore said.

A member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Moore backed Trump early during his first White House campaign and has remained one of the president’s staunchest allies in Congress.

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Trump returned the favor shortly before Tuesday’s runoff.

“Barry Moore has my complete and total endorsement. He’s the best America First candidate you can imagine,” Trump said.

Hudson campaigned as an outsider and forced Moore into a runoff in May by attacking the congressman’s years in Washington. Hudson also edged out Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall in the first round to advance to Tuesday’s contest.

Leaning heavily on his military credentials, Hudson pledged to be “a warrior for President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda.”

“If you want the same thing over and over again, elect a career politician. If you want different results, somebody who can take your issues to Washington and not bring the stupidity of Washington back here to you, send a warrior to Washington,” Hudson said during a candidate forum in May.

Jared Hudson (Campaign)

Barry Moore embraced his congressional record throughout the campaign, pointing to Trump’s backing and his ratings from conservative groups that track lawmakers’ voting records.

He argued that while many Republicans claim to support Trump, he has the record to prove it.

“Look at my record, the most conservative member in the Alabama delegation, an ally of the president,” Moore said. “The president has endorsed me because he’s seen me in the fire. I never bow down.”

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For some voters, experience proved decisive as steady rain swept across much of Alabama on Tuesday.

“He’s the best qualified, I can tell you that — no question,” said Bob Marshall, 91, who cast his ballot for Moore at a Methodist church in Pike Road outside Montgomery.

Hudson often noted that while he lacked a legislative scorecard, he had built an impressive record on the battlefield.

Hudson has quipped that he doesn’t have a legislative scorecard, but has racked up a high score “against the Taliban in over 60 combat operations.”

Julian Metheny, who voted for Hudson in Shelby County, said the former SEAL’s military service, Christian faith and outsider status appealed to him.

“I like the fact that he was willing to put his life on the line for our country,” said Metheny, 70, who comes from a family with multiple veterans.

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