Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) is projected to win the race for Alabama's open Senate seat, according to Decision Desk HQ, securing a victory that strengthens the GOP's hold on the deep-red state and bolsters President Trump's influence in the upper chamber.
Moore's win comes as incumbent Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a former college football coach, opted to leave the Senate after a single term to run for governor of Alabama. Tuberville's departure set up a competitive Republican primary, which Moore won after defeating U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson in a June runoff.
The outcome is also a win for Trump, who endorsed Moore in the race. The president carried Alabama by 30 points in 2024, underscoring the state's solidly Republican tilt. Moore's victory ensures the seat remains in Republican hands, avoiding any upset in a state where Democrats have not won a Senate race since 1992.
In his campaign announcement video, Moore highlighted his early support for Trump, saying he was the first elected official in the country to endorse the then-candidate in 2015. "I didn't wait to see which way the wind was blowing," Moore said, a line that resonated with the GOP base and helped solidify his standing as a loyal Trump ally.
Moore, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, served three terms in the House and previously served in the U.S. Army National Guard. His conservative credentials and military background were central to his campaign, appealing to Alabama's Republican electorate.
The general election was widely considered a foregone conclusion. Moore faced Democrat Everett Weiss, an attorney who won his own runoff, but the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated the seat as "solid Republican." Moore's victory was all but assured, yet it carries symbolic weight as a test of Trump's endorsement power in GOP primaries.
Moore's win is part of a broader pattern of Trump-backed candidates succeeding in Republican primaries across the country. In other races, Wisconsin's governor race saw a historic projection, while Wyoming's Senate race also went to a Trump-endorsed candidate. These results underscore the president's continued sway over the party's base.
Moore's arrival in the Senate is expected to reinforce the conservative bloc that aligns with Trump's agenda. His House record, including votes on immigration, spending, and cultural issues, suggests he will be a reliable vote for the administration's priorities.
The Alabama race also highlighted the state's shifting political dynamics. Tuberville's decision to leave the Senate after one term was unusual, but it opened a path for Moore, who had been a vocal Trump supporter in the House. With Moore's victory, Alabama's congressional delegation remains overwhelmingly Republican, and the state's influence in national politics is likely to continue.
As Moore prepares to take his seat, the focus will shift to how he navigates the Senate's institutional traditions while staying true to his conservative principles. His early endorsement of Trump and his Freedom Caucus membership suggest he will be a vocal presence, but his effectiveness will depend on his ability to work within the chamber's rules.
For now, Moore's win is a clear signal that Alabama's Republican voters remain firmly behind Trump and his allies, setting the stage for continued conservative leadership in the state.
