‘Don’t see any way to avoid a runoff:’ What to know about Alabama’s ultra-competitive US Senate race

The race for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat is heating up, with a highly competitive primary set to take place in just a few days. As the May 19 election date approaches, voters are still weighing their options, leaving a significant number of undecideds in play.

A Likely Runoff Scenario

According to political observers, the path to the nomination is far from clear-cut. Michael Lowry, a pollster formerly with Rep. Robert Aderholt’s team, noted, “I don’t see any way to avoid a runoff.” Under Alabama election rules, if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the top contenders will face off again on June 16. Lowry suggests that whoever secures the second-place spot in the primary will be in the driver’s seat for that subsequent month of campaigning.

Meet the Frontrunners

The Republican field features three primary contenders who have been trading blows in the polls: Rep. Barry Moore, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Jared Hudson. While they hold largely similar stances on key issues like the economy, foreign policy, and support for the Trump agenda, their professional backgrounds offer voters distinct choices.

Jared Hudson

As a former U.S. Navy SEAL and nonprofit founder, Hudson is positioning himself as an outsider. Although he has never held public office, he is campaigning on a platform focused on military strength and cost-of-living relief. “Our hard-earned dollars are going to places they shouldn’t go, and we have to cut ridiculous policies in Washington that hurt our overall cost of living,” Hudson told 205focus.com in a recent interview.

Steve Marshall

Attorney General Marshall is emphasizing his lengthy legal track record and his experience in the courtroom. Pointing to his work securing funds from the opioid litigation and his handling of state-level issues, Marshall told 205focus.com that voters can look at his record to see that he is capable of delivering results. He has also been a central figure in the state’s recent legal battles regarding congressional redistricting.

Barry Moore

Congressman Barry Moore remains a major factor in the race, backed by an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Moore, who has been a vocal supporter of the former president since his initial run, has also inserted himself into the debate over congressional maps. He has publicly supported the goal of drawing district lines to favor a 7-0 split for Republican representatives, stating in a social media post: “If they can get to 7-0, let’s get to 7-0.” Moore, who has highlighted his direct line of communication with Trump, was unavailable for comment for this article.

The Final Stretch

With spring polling showing a tight contest among likely Republican voters, including data from Cygnal, the stage is set for an intense finish. While the top three candidates continue to dominate the conversation, several other Republicans and Democrats will also appear on the ballot.