MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson advanced to a runoff Wednesday for the Republican nomination for the open U.S. Senate seat in Alabama.
Moore is a three-term congressman endorsed by President Donald Trump and Hudson is a political newcomer. Moore said the state deserves a "Trump conservative" in the Senate, while Hudson has promised to be "a warrior for President Trump's 'America First' agenda" if he is elected.
LIVE RESULTS: Alabama midterm state and congressional primaries
On the Democratic side, business owner Dakarai Larriett and lawyer Everett Wess are heading to a runoff, but either of them would face an uphill climb in deep-red Alabama.
The Republican and Democratic runoffs will be held June 16.
Moore, boosted by the Trump endorsement, led the GOP primary voting Tuesday night for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.
"We're going to win this thing, and God's going to bless this great nation," he told supporters after advancing to the runoff.
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During a brief telephone rally Monday night, Trump said, "Barry is going to do a fantastic job. He will fight for you in the Senate."
Hudson, a former Navy SEAL who positioned himself as a political outsider, narrowly edged out Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for a place in the runoff. Marshall issued a statement Wednesday saying his campaign fell short.
"We made history last night, Alabama!" Hudson wrote on social media. He added that, "DC money is going to have to punch a lot harder if they want to stop this grassroots movement."