NEW: Trump Makes Shocking Endorsement In Major Red State

President Trump jumped into Alabama’s open Senate race over the weekend, throwing his full support behind Rep. Barry Moore in a move that could scramble the Republican primary to replace Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Trump formally endorsed Moore on Saturday as the congressman seeks to trade his House seat for a spot in the U.S. Senate, which Tuberville is vacating to run for governor. The endorsement gives Moore a major boost, but the contest remains wide open.

“Barry Moore is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Alabama,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “BARRY WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”

In the same post, Trump said Moore would “Safeguard our Elections” and “Ensure LAW AND ORDER,” while also boasting that he received “the highest vote in [Alabama’s] history.” Trump did receive more raw votes than any previous presidential candidate in the state in 2024, though others, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, won a higher percentage of the vote in earlier elections.

Moore quickly praised the endorsement, calling it a defining moment in his campaign.

“I am truly honored and thankful to receive the endorsement of President Donald Trump,” Moore said in a statement shared on social media and with reporters.

“President Trump has always put America first, and I’m proud to have stood with him from the very beginning,” Moore added. “With his support, I’m ready to get to work on day one. I’ll continue fighting for Alabama values, secure borders, a strong economy, and putting the President’s America First agenda into action.”

While Trump’s backing is expected to energize Moore’s campaign, his track record in Alabama Senate races has been uneven.

In 2017, Trump endorsed then-Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions. Strange lost the Republican primary and runoff to Roy Moore, who later received Trump’s support but went on to lose the general election to Democrat Doug Jones.

So far, polling suggests Moore still has ground to make up.

Nearly every survey of the race has shown Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall leading the Republican field, though a large share of voters remain undecided.

The most recent poll, conducted in December by The Alabama Poll, found 30 percent of likely Republican primary voters backing Marshall, compared with 12 percent for Moore. Candidates Jared Hudson, Rodney Walker and Morgan Murphy each registered single-digit support.

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