‘Close contest’: Where Moore, Hudson stand on key issues in tight race for US Senate

With the primary runoff election just around the corner on Tuesday, June 16, Alabama voters are weighing a high-stakes choice for the open U.S. Senate seat. Candidates Barry Moore and Jared Hudson are locked in a fierce, tight contest as they make their final appeals to the public.

The race has been marked by pointed exchanges over the candidates' military backgrounds, their alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda, and their visions for the state’s future. Polls have been inconsistent, with many voters still undecided, though the overall consensus is that the runoff remains an "extremely close contest."

Military Service in the Spotlight

Tensions flared recently when Hudson urged Moore to share more comprehensive details regarding his service record. While Moore has released basic information about his time in the Alabama National Guard and Reserves, he dismissed the scrutiny as a "garbage swamp tactic." For his part, Hudson is a veteran Navy SEAL. Both men were honorably discharged from their respective branches of service.

Polling Uncertainty

The numbers in this race remain volatile. One recent poll funded by a pro-Hudson PAC showed him leading by 1 point, while a survey from Coefficient indicated Moore held a 9-point advantage. A June 9 Strategy Management poll placed Hudson up by 5 points, though it noted a dead heat among core Republican voters.

Policy Positions and Priorities

While the candidates share similar platforms on many key issues, they diverge on specific approaches to governance:

• Economy and Spending: Hudson focuses on cutting regulations and government waste to ease the burden on Alabama families. Moore, meanwhile, champions the tax breaks from President Trump’s 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill," emphasizing the need to curb fraud and spending in Washington.

• Crime and Safety: Hudson, a former law enforcement officer, links economic prosperity to reduced crime rates. Moore has pushed federal-level bills, such as making carjacking a federal crime and mandating deportation for illegal immigrants convicted of drunk driving.

• Infrastructure and National Security: Hudson envisions Alabama as a "national security nexus," advocating for federal infrastructure projects like I-65 and I-10 improvements. Moore highlights his record of securing appropriations for the Port of Mobile and bringing major institutions like the FBI and U.S. Space Command to the state.

• Immigration: Moore has labeled "birthright citizenship" a problem, while Hudson stresses the importance of legal immigration and assimilation to American values.

• Congressional Ethics: Both candidates have signaled support for banning stock trading among members of Congress. Public records from Quiver Quantitative show Moore has engaged in stock trading totaling $131,000 since 2021, a practice he now argues should be restricted to prevent conflicts of interest.

As voters head to the polls on June 16, they will determine which candidate's vision for Alabama will prevail. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.