Barry Moore wins GOP race for Alabama’s US Senate seat: ‘There’s reason President Trump endorsed me’

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore has officially secured the GOP nomination for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat following a contentious runoff election on Tuesday night. Moore emerged victorious after a campaign cycle marked by intense scrutiny regarding his military service record and connections to cryptocurrency funding.

At the time the race was called, Moore held a commanding 60% to 40% lead over his opponent, Jared Hudson. The two candidates were vying for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is departing the chamber to pursue a run for governor.

A Battle of Outsider vs. Establishment

Despite receiving a high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump, Moore found himself in a tighter-than-expected race against Hudson, a nonprofit CEO and political newcomer. Moore, who was first elected to Congress in 2020 and previously served as a state lawmaker, emphasized his history as a loyal ally to the former president. "There’s a reason President Trump endorsed me," Moore stated on a local talk radio program Tuesday. "He’s seen me in the fight with him, and so he wants a trusted ally in the Senate."

Throughout the primary, Moore consistently outperformed his competition, securing 40% of the vote on May 19 compared to Hudson’s 25%. Trump, who touted a "6-0" endorsement record in Alabama, had actively campaigned for Moore, calling him a veteran who dedicated his life to serving Alabama.

Hudson, running on an outsider platform, aggressively challenged Moore’s ties to Washington. His campaign gained traction by criticizing funding from cryptocurrency PACs. Hudson pledged to focus on the cost of living, job growth, and military benefits, telling supporters on Tuesday, "Go and fight on your behalf in DC, and bring your issues to Washington, and not the issues of Washington to you, the people of Alabama."

Military Service and Campaign Tensions

The final weeks of the race were dominated by disputes over military credentials. While Hudson served as a Navy SEAL and Moore served in the Alabama National Guard, both candidates received honorable discharges. The intensity of the debate reached a point where Moore threatened legal action against journalists over questions regarding his record. Both men eventually provided documentation of their service to 205focus.com, which shared the details here.

Looking Toward November

The focus now shifts to the general election. On the Democratic side, the nomination remains undecided, with attorney Everett Wess and business owner Dakarai Larriett set for their own runoff. Wess, a former municipal judge in Birmingham, and Larriett, an entrepreneur who returned to the state in 2024, are looking to overcome the uphill battle Democrats face in Alabama.

While a Democratic victory in the Senate race remains a long shot, the party is centering its efforts on voters' frustrations with rising power bills and the general cost of living. Democrats are also banking on the presence of former Sen. Doug Jones at the top of the ticket in the gubernatorial race to energize their base.