Moore and Hudson advance in Alabama Senate GOP primary

Alabama is one step closer to picking the Republican who will replace Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Tuberville decided to run for governor and leave his Senate seat, which set off a crowded primary. In Alabama, a candidate needs a majority of votes to win outright. If no one reaches that mark, the top two advance to a runoff.

Rep. Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson finished first and second in the seven-candidate Republican field. They will meet again on June 16.

Moore has the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Trump called him a "true America First Patriot who’s been with me from the very beginning" during a recent tele-rally.

Moore was the first elected official in the country to back Trump in 2015. He is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and has described himself as a fiscal hawk.

"I think my number one job is to protect the people's liberty and to support the president in that process," Moore said last year. "And so, for us, it's an opportunity to continue to fight for the America First agenda, and also make sure we have conservatives in the Senate from Alabama that are truly the voice of the people."

Hudson edged out Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for second place. Marshall had stronger name recognition and has served as the state’s top law enforcement officer since 2017. He had pushed for the state to use its 2020 congressional maps on primary day after a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The winner of the June 16 runoff will face either Everett Wess or Dakarai Lariett in the general election.