Staff Reports
Decision Desk HQ projected on election night that U.S. Representative Barry Moore won the Republican runoff for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat while Birmingham attorney Everett Wess was projected to win the Democratic runoff. That projection makes Moore the GOP nominee headed into the general election to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and it cements President Donald Trump’s influence after his high-profile endorsement of Moore.
Decision Desk HQ Calls Race: Moore and Wess Move On
The immediate news is simple: Decision Desk HQ put Barry Moore over the top in the Republican runoff and showed Everett Wess winning the Democratic side. For Alabama voters, that means the likely November match-up will be U.S. Representative Barry Moore versus Everett Wess. The projection is the kind of election-night call that settles one question and starts another — who can turn a primary win into a real general-election campaign?
Trump’s Endorsement Mattered — Let’s Not Pretend Otherwise
Why the endorsement moved the needle
Moore leaned hard into President Donald Trump’s backing and didn’t hide it. He even boasted that when he calls Trump, “he takes my calls.” In Republican politics right now, Trump’s nod is not a ribbon on a hat — it is often the difference between a close finish and a clear win. Some late polls showed Jared Hudson surging and even overtaking Moore in parts of the state, but endorsements, ground game, and name recognition held. That tells you a lot about who sets the pace in GOP primaries these days.
What This Means for November
Alabama is a Republican state. The GOP nominee is heavily favored in the general election, and Moore starts as the clear favorite. That said, a primary victory is not a coronation. Republicans should use this win to unite the party and mobilize voters, not to relax on the campaign trail. The seat opened when Sen. Tommy Tuberville launched a gubernatorial bid, and replacing him with a conservative like Moore keeps the Alabama delegation aligned with America First priorities.
Don’t Overlook the Opponents — But Don’t Panic Either
Jared Hudson ran a spirited campaign and, as a former U.S. Navy SEAL, brought a strong resume. But a good resume does not automatically translate into the statewide machinery needed to win in Alabama. On the Democratic side, Everett Wess will carry his party’s banner into November. He faces long odds in a red state, but campaigns matter — and turnout will tell the tale. For conservatives, the sensible play is to rally behind Moore, sharpen the message on jobs and security, and keep the focus where it belongs: winning in November.
