Alabama Republicans headed into a runoff for the U.S. Senate between Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama’s 1st Congressional District and former Navy SEAL and businessman Jared Hudson. Decision Desk HQ projected Moore as the GOP nominee for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, with Moore leading Hudson 59 percent to 40 percent as 55 percent of precincts reported.
Earlier Monday, Fox News appeared to jump the gun on the Senate race by posting a headline that said Hudson had beaten Moore to claim the seat. The premature call quickly drew comparisons to the infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” blunder, as the final direction of the race moved sharply against that early projection.
Another Legacy Media Writer Gets Caught Journalisming, Has It All Wrong on SCOTUS’ Alabama Maps Decision
Moore entered the runoff with an endorsement from President Donald Trump, and the contest increasingly took on the feel of a broader test between an anti-establishment mood and a sitting member of Congress. Hudson positioned himself as a fresh face appealing to voters frustrated with incumbents, while Moore represented the more established Washington figure. As Election Day approached, the rivalry became noticeably sharper.
In heavily faith-oriented Alabama, Hudson added to the tension with a Facebook post that said, in part, “Alabama wants a Senator who lives out a Christian conservative life, not someone who just talks about it in front of the cameras.” Moore’s allies, including his wife, viewed the remark as a swipe at the congressman, and the statement triggered criticism aimed at Hudson. He later said his words had been misunderstood.
Hudson also raised questions about Moore’s military background. On the campaign trail, Hudson frequently highlighted his own combat record as a Navy SEAL, at times boasting about the number of Taliban fighters he had killed. Moore’s military experience consisted of two and a half years in the Alabama National Guard and five and a half years in the Army Reserve. Although that service did not include combat duty, Moore served consistently and received an honorable discharge. Meanwhile, PAC mailers and television ads tied to Hudson’s side of the race appeared to suggest Moore had exaggerated his record or veered into stolen valor territory. When asked directly in local media interviews whether he believed Moore had misrepresented his service, Hudson declined to give a clear answer.
Another Legacy Media Writer Gets Caught Journalisming, Has It All Wrong on SCOTUS’ Alabama Maps Decision
Moore was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and the race became a referendum on the bright, shiny newcomer who said the right things and suited the anti-incumbent fervor of the electorate, and the established D.C. incumbent. In the weeks leading up to the runoff, the competition grew even more pointed.
In deeply religious Alabama, Hudson decided to pen some commentary to his campaign Facebook page, which read, in part: “Alabama wants a Senator who lives out a Christian conservative life, not someone who just talks about it in front of the cameras.” This comment was perceived as a slight by Moore’s supporters and Moore’s wife, and sparked backlash against Hudson. Hudson claimed the comments had been misinterpreted.
Hudson also cast shade on Moore’s military service. In speeches, Hudson has bragged about the number of Taliban he killed as a Navy SEAL. While Moore’s two-and-a-half years of service in the Alabama National Guard and five-and-a-half years in the Army Reserve did not involve combat, Moore fulfilled this service with consistency and was honorably discharged. PAC mailers and television advertisements, which appeared to be from the Hudson campaign, skated the line of accusing Moore of misrepresenting his military service and even of stolen valor. When Hudson was pressed in local interviews to explain whether he believed Moore had dishonestly represented his service, Hudson refused to provide a definitive response.
Alabamians were able to cut through the noise and stuck with the devil that they knew, rather than an untried and untested newcomer.
Other Alabama runoff results for Lt. Governor saw a win for Trump-endorsed candidate John Wahl, the former Alabama Republican Party Chair. Wahl defeated Secretary of State Wes Allen 57 percent to 42 percent.
In the runoff race for AL Attorney General, Katherine Robertson, the Chief Counsel to Attorney General Steve Marshall, defeated Former AL Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell, 57 percent to 43 percent.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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