Trump-Backed Rep. Barry Moore Wins Alabama GOP Senate Runoff
Rep. Barry Moore defeated Jared Hudson in the Alabama Republican U.S. Senate runoff on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, securing the GOP nomination.[1]
Moore was backed by former President Donald Trump, and his victory was framed as another sign of the staying power of Trump's endorsements.[2] In the May 19 primary, Moore received nearly 40 percent and Hudson about 26 percent, with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall eliminated and no candidate winning a majority.[1] Moore will face either business owner Dakarai Larriett or attorney Everett Wess in the November general election, depending on the outcome of the Democratic runoff held the same day.[1]
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced on May 27, 2025, that he would run for Alabama governor rather than seek re-election, opening the seat.
Alabama remains solidly Republican; it has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in roughly three decades outside Doug Jones' 2017 special-election win, and Trump carried the state by about 30 points in 2024.[1]
The mainstream summary does not mention the specific vote breakdown in the primary, where Barry Moore received 39.2% of the vote, significantly higher than Jared Hudson's 25.6% and Steve Marshall's 24.5%, totaling approximately 482,000 votes cast. This detailed context from NBC News highlights the competitive nature of the primary and the substantial support Moore garnered, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics leading to his runoff victory. Furthermore, the summary overlooks the historical trend of lower turnout in Alabama Republican primary runoffs compared to primaries, as evidenced by turnout figures from previous election cycles, which could indicate potential challenges for Moore in the general election if similar patterns persist. WVTM 13 notes that turnout in 2022 dropped from about 647,000 votes to 402,000, representing only 11% of registered voters, suggesting that Moore's path to victory may hinge on mobilizing support beyond his base in November.
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📊 Relevant Data
In the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, Barry Moore received 39.2% of the vote (188,825 votes), Jared Hudson received 25.6% (123,533 votes), and Steve Marshall received 24.5% (118,233 votes), with approximately 482,000 total votes cast in the Republican Senate primary.
Alabama Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results — NBC News
Alabama Republican primary runoff turnout has historically been substantially lower than primary turnout; in 2022 it fell from about 647,000 votes to 402,000 (11% of registered voters), and in 2020 from about 718,000 to 551,000 (15% of registered voters).
Full election results: 2026 Alabama primary runoff races — WVTM 13
📌 Key Facts
- CBS News projects that Rep. Barry Moore defeated Jared Hudson in the Alabama Republican Senate runoff held Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
- In the May primary, May primary results showed Moore with nearly 40% of the vote and Hudson with about 26%, while Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was eliminated.
- The outcome was presented as evidence of the staying power of Trump's endorsement, with Moore backed by Trump and Hudson running as an outsider who also embraced the 'America First' agenda.
- Alabama remains solidly Republican, the report notes, having elected no Democrat to the U.S. Senate in roughly three decades outside Doug Jones' 2017 special-election win, and Trump carried the state by about 30 points in 2024.
- Moore will face either business owner Dakarai Larriett or attorney Everett Wess in the November general election, depending on the outcome of the Democratic runoff held the same day.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS News projects that Rep. Barry Moore defeated Jared Hudson in the Alabama Republican Senate runoff held Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
- The article reiterates that Moore previously secured nearly 40% of the vote and Hudson about 26% in the May primary, with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall eliminated.
- CBS emphasizes Alabama's long-standing Republican tilt, noting that outside Doug Jones' 2017 special election win, the state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in the last three decades and that Trump carried Alabama by 30 points in 2024.
- The article frames Moore's victory as another example of the 'staying power' of Trump's endorsement, contrasting Moore's backing from Trump with Hudson's outsider pitch while also embracing the 'America First' agenda.
- CBS notes that Moore will face either business owner Dakarai Larriett or attorney Everett Wess in November, depending on the outcome of the Democratic runoff held the same day.