Trump-backed Rep. Barry Moore heads to a runoff in Alabama GOP Senate primary

2026 ElectionTrump-backed Rep. Barry Moore heads to a runoff in Alabama GOP Senate primaryNBC News projects Moore did not clear the 50% threshold to advance to the general election. His runoff opponent remains unclear. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala. Al Drago / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 19, 2026, 11:11 PM EDTBy Megan LebowitzRep. Barry Moore on Tuesday advanced to a Republican Senate primary runoff in Alabama, as two rivals battle for the second spot in the race, NBC News projects.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Boosted by President Donald Trump, Moore leads a crowded primary field, but he will not hit the majority mark needed to win the nomination outright. Meanwhile, state Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson are in the running for a spot alongside Moore in a head-to-head June 16 runoff.The winner of the runoff will be heavily favored in the general election in Alabama. The Republicans are running to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a first-term Republican who is leaving the Senate to run for governor.Trump re-iterated his support for Moore in a Truth Social post on Monday, calling him “an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning.” “Barry Moore is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Alabama,” Trump wrote. “GET OUT AND VOTE FOR BARRY — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!Moore, a former state lawmaker, was first elected to Congress in 2020, running “to fight the lockdowns and stand with President Trump,” he said on his campaign website. The congressman has called for the arrests and prosecutions of elected officials in “lawless Democrat sanctuary” cities if they “obstruct federal immigration enforcement.” He railed against allowing transgender women and girls to play in women’s sports, and he said he wanted...