Alabama voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to choose a successor to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who vacated his seat to run for governor. The open race in the deeply Republican state pits GOP Rep. Barry Moore against Democratic attorney and former Judge Everett Wess.
Moore, a three-term congressman, secured the Republican nomination after a runoff victory over businessman Jared Hudson by roughly 10 percentage points. His campaign was bolstered by endorsements from President Trump, Vice President Vance, and much of the GOP establishment. The support from the party's top figures helped consolidate conservative voters behind Moore, who has framed his candidacy as a continuation of the Trump agenda.
On the Democratic side, Wess, who has run for multiple offices previously, defeated businessman Dakarai Larriett in the primary runoff. Wess is positioning himself as a moderate alternative, focusing on issues like healthcare and economic opportunity, though he faces an uphill battle in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in decades.
The race is being watched closely as part of the broader 2026 midterm landscape, where Republicans are defending several open seats. Alabama's contest, however, is not considered competitive, with analysts rating it as safe Republican.
Polling places close at 8 p.m. EST, and initial results are expected shortly thereafter. Election officials have prepared for a smooth process, though the Justice Department's monitoring of elections nationwide has drawn attention to potential irregularities.
Moore's campaign has emphasized his conservative credentials, including his support for border security, Second Amendment rights, and limited government. He has also received backing from national conservative groups, which have poured resources into the state to ensure a strong turnout.
Wess, meanwhile, has campaigned on a platform of bipartisanship and has criticized Moore as too extreme for Alabama's needs. He has called for expanding rural healthcare and investing in education, but his message has struggled to gain traction in a state where Republicans hold a commanding voter registration advantage.
With the outcome widely expected, the real interest lies in the margin of victory and what it might signal for the 2026 midterm elections. As economic concerns weigh on voters, Republicans are hoping a strong showing in Alabama will bolster their national narrative.
