MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama congressman backed by President Donald Trump is seeking to defeat a political outsider in Tuesday’s Republican runoff for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.U.S. Rep. Barry Moore faces former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson for the Republican nomination to advance to November’s general election as the party seeks to retain the seat vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor. Two Democrats also are in a runoff.Trump’s picks have largely prevailed in Republican primaries this year, although his preferred candidate for Iowa governor was defeated earlier this month. The Alabama race will be another test of his endorsement powers.Moore is a three-term congressman and a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. He led first-round voting in May with nearly 40% of the ballot to Hudson’s 25%. He was an early backer of Trump’s first presidential campaign and Trump returned the support.“Barry Moore has my complete and total endorsement. He’s the best America First candidate you can imagine,” Trump said recently.
Trump’s pick, challenger both try to position themselves as outsidersRunning as an outsider, Hudson had attacked Moore over his Washington ties while promising to be “a warrior for President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda.”“If you want the same thing over and over again, elect a career politician. If you want different results, somebody who can take your issues to Washington and not bring the stupidity of Washington back here to you, send a warrior to Washington,” Hudson said during a candidate forum in May.Hudson secured a runoff spot in May by narrowly edging a leading early contender, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
