Rep. Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson advanced to a runoff in Alabama’s Republican Senate primary Wednesday, delivering a major setback for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Marshall’s lengthy tenure in Alabama politics proved insufficient against Hudson’s late surge in support and Moore’s backing from President Donald Trump. The race for the GOP nomination intensified in recent weeks after Hudson gained momentum in public polling, transforming what had been viewed as a two-way contest between Moore and Marshall into a competitive three-candidate battle.
Hudson’s rise ultimately helped edge Marshall out of the runoff. The Senate seat became open following Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville’s announcement that he would not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate but instead run for governor, a move that set off a closely watched contest in one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states. Tuberville did not endorse any candidate in the primary.
Moore entered the race with a significant advantage after securing Trump’s early endorsement, a powerful asset in Alabama Republican politics. The endorsement was followed by support from major conservative groups, including the Club for Growth super PAC, helping Moore build a strong financial and organizational operation. Although Moore held only a modest fundraising edge over Marshall, the backing from Trump and outside conservative groups solidified his standing among Republican primary voters.
Hudson emerged as a surprise contender after gaining traction late in the campaign, capitalizing on outsider appeal and strong support among conservative grassroots voters. The June 16 runoff is expected to determine the overwhelming favorite to win the Senate seat in the general election, given Alabama’s strong Republican tilt.
