Alabama's 2026 Senate race features a high-stakes battle for a vacated seat

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: With incumbent Tommy Tuberville opting to run for governor, Alabama faces a pivotal Senate election on November 3, 2026. Republican Congressman Barry Moore and Democratic attorney Everett Wess have emerged from intense primary runoffs to secure their party nominations, setting the stage for a significant political showdown in the Deep South.

The 2026 United States Senate election in Alabama is shaped by a major shift in the state's political landscape. Incumbent Senator Tommy Tuberville has decided not to seek a second term in the Senate, choosing instead to pursue the office of governor. This vacancy has triggered a competitive primary season that concluded with critical runoff elections on June 16, following a primary held on May 19. The primary elections originally took place on May 19. This process necessitated subsequent runoffs because no individual candidate achieved a majority during the initial voting period.

The Republican nomination was decided in a runoff where Barry Moore, currently the U.S. representative for Alabama's 1st district, secured 55.8% of the vote. He defeated businessman Jared Hudson, who had previously run for Jefferson County sheriff in 2022. Moore's path to the nomination was bolstered by the endorsement of Morgan Murphy, a former national security advisor to Tuberville, though Murphy remained on the ballot.

On the Democratic side, attorney Everett Wess emerged victorious after a runoff election on June 16. Wess secured 54.6% of the vote, overcoming businessman Dakarai Larriett. As Wess is described as a perennial candidate, the election represents a significant test for the Democratic Party in Alabama. The general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026, will determine who represents the state in the Senate for the upcoming term. This contest follows a period of political movement involving several other figures. For instance, former senator Doug Jones is also campaigning for the governorship.

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