Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday for a pair of runoff elections that will decide the Republican and Democratic nominees for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
On the GOP side, Rep. Blake Moore, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, faces off against Navy SEAL veteran Jared Hudson. Both advanced to the runoff after failing to secure more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary last month. The winner will be heavily favored in the general election in this deep-red state.
Moore, a two-term congressman from Utah, has touted his conservative voting record and Trump’s endorsement as evidence of his electability. However, Hudson, a political newcomer, has framed himself as an outsider ready to shake up Washington, leaning heavily on his military service and a message of fiscal responsibility.
The Democratic primary also heads to a runoff, with attorney Everett Weiss squaring off against business owner Dakarai Lariett. Weiss, a former aide to Sen. Doug Jones, has positioned himself as a moderate, while Lariett has campaigned on a progressive platform, including Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
Polls close at 7 p.m. EDT, and Decision Desk HQ will provide live results. The race is being closely watched as a test of Trump’s continued influence in Republican primaries, particularly after his endorsement power was tested in other runoffs, including the Georgia Senate runoff where Trump backed Mike Collins.
Moore has campaigned heavily on his relationship with Trump, arguing that he is best positioned to advance the former president’s agenda in the Senate. Hudson, however, has questioned whether Moore is conservative enough, pointing to Moore’s vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The clash mirrors broader intraparty tensions between establishment and insurgent wings of the GOP.
In the Democratic contest, Weiss has emphasized his legal background and experience in Washington, while Lariett has sought to energize the party’s base with bold policy proposals. The winner will face a steep uphill battle in November, as Alabama has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since Jones’s special election victory in 2017.
Analysts note that turnout is typically lower in runoff elections, which could favor the candidate with the most motivated supporters. Hudson’s campaign has invested heavily in grassroots outreach, while Moore has relied on institutional support from the state party and national Republicans.
The outcome will also have implications for the broader Senate map, as Republicans seek to regain control of the chamber. Tuberville’s seat is considered safely Republican, but the primary has drawn attention due to the contrasting styles and alliances of the two GOP contenders.
For live updates and real-time results, follow DDHQ’s data nerds tracking Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma primaries.
