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

With the primary runoff election for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat just days away, the race between Barry Moore and Jared Hudson has intensified. Polls suggest an exceptionally close contest, leaving a significant number of voters still undecided.

A Clash Over Records and Records

The final stretch of the campaign has seen the Republican candidates trade barbs over their military histories, their alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda, and their visions for Alabama’s future. Tensions flared recently when Hudson urged Moore to provide more transparency regarding his service record. While Moore has released basic information, he dismissed the line of questioning as a “garbage swamp tactic.” Both men served honorably; Hudson as a Navy SEAL, and Moore in the Alabama National Guard and the Reserves.

The State of the Race

Polling data remains erratic as the June 16 runoff approaches. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. While one poll conducted by a pro-Hudson PAC showed him with a 1-point lead, another survey placed Moore ahead by 9 points. A separate June 9 survey indicated a 5-point lead for Hudson, though it noted the candidates are essentially tied among core Republican voters.

Policy Positions and Priorities

While the candidates share similar platforms on many key issues, their approaches differ. Hudson emphasizes economic relief for Alabama families, proposing cuts to government regulation and wasteful spending to lower housing and healthcare costs. He also frames Alabama as a “national security nexus,” advocating for infrastructure projects like widening I-65 and the I-10 bridge.

Moore points to his track record, highlighting his support for tax cuts in the 2025 "Big, Beautiful Bill" and his work securing appropriations for the Port of Mobile, the FBI, and U.S. Space Command. On the issue of criminal justice, Moore has proposed making carjacking a federal crime, while Hudson leans on his law enforcement background, arguing that economic uplift is the key to reducing criminal enterprise.

Immigration and Ethics

The candidates hold firm views on immigration. Moore has explicitly criticized birthright citizenship, while Hudson stresses the importance of assimilation for legal immigrants. Regarding congressional ethics, both candidates support a ban on stock trading for members of Congress. This issue is particularly relevant for Moore, who has traded $131,000 worth of stocks since 2021, according to Quiver Quantitative.

For more on Hudson's background, read more about the candidate's life and service here.