Primary Runoffs Preview: United State Senate

Alabama's party primary runoff elections are one week from today. This is part 1 of the preview of Tuesday's election.

Today's Preview: U.S. Senate

Both parties have candidiates vying to be their party's nominee for U.S. Senate in the November General Election.

The Republican U.S. Senate Runoff

The latest polls reveal the reason virtually every Republican on the ballot is attempting to align themeselves with President Trump in someway. He remains extremely popular among conservative voters in the state with an 83% approval rating.

No race shows the power of a Trump endoresement more than the Republican runoff for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tommy Tuberville, who is running for govenor. Trump-endorsed three-term U.S. Rep. Barry Moore over former Navy SEAL and political outsider Jared Hudson. The Alabama Poll shows 43% of the voters polled are more likely to cast ballots for Moore because of that endoresement.

Moore was the leading vote getter in the May 19th party primary vote with the little known  Hudson second and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall a surprising third, 50,000+ votes behind Moore.

Hudson outdistanced Moore in Tuscaloosa County and most of Central Alabama in the primary. Moore's voting base came from his home area of the Wiregrass Region of southeast Alabama.

Virtually every campaign add Moore's camp has produced has emphasized the backing from Trump. Hudson's issues and Moore's issues are traditional GOP conservative Christian issues but what seperates them is the powerful Trump seal of approval. Hudson's political ads have emphisized his backing of Trump but only Moore's can claim Trump's backing.

Moore is campaigning on his ties to  Trump, backing for law enforcement, protecting the 2nd Amendment gun rights and improving the economy. Hudson has campaigned on putting Alabama workers first, crushing the “woke agenda,” and “standing with President Trump”  as his priorities.

When the campaign began last year most political pundits were giving Marshall the nod due to his statewide identity with Moore second and the little known Hudson a distant third. That was before Trump annointed Moore, which help bring in a campaign contribution windfall and propelled him into first place on May 19th.

Moore raised $2,499,190 for the primary and had $475,197 available at the start of the runoff. Hudosn raised $1,543,189 and started the runoff campiagn with $542,200 on hand. (Source: Federal Election Commission)

In these last days of the runoff race the Moore campaign has become embroiled in a controversy over his military service in the Alabama National guard and Reserve. Most of the questions center around his rank and if he is considered a veteran as advertised. The minor issues blew up when news media in the state began receiving threatening letters from Moore's attorney's vowing legal action against news media that even mentions the issues. The controversy is not expected to play a critical role in next week's runoff.

Polls are split on the potential winner next week. The Alabama Polls and Remington Research Group give Hudson and upset win while co-efficient and Pulse Decision Science tab Moore as the winner.

The Democrat U.S. Senate Runoff

Everett Wess and Dakarai Lariett were the top Democrat vote getters in the U.S. Senate race, and due to Alabama's runoff rules, will again square off on Tuesday. Last month Wess received 40% of the vote while Larriett garnered 29% of the vote.

Alabama Democrats increased the number of Democratic votes significantly in the May 19th primary, 20% or more. And while the runoff vote turnout is traditionally extremely low, party leaders are hopefully that the controversy over Alabama's congressional redistricting will motivate their party's base, not only Tuesday but also in November.

Greene, Perry, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties all saw increases in the Democraty Party electorate last month.

Everett Wess is a Birmingham attorney who is mot famous for being the lead attorneywho defended Harvey Updyke, the man who pleaded guilty in March 2013 to poisoning the oak trees at Auburn‘s landmark Toomer’s Corner.

Dakarai Larriett is a Birmingham pet care business owner and driver for Meals on Wheels.

Larriet received twice the amount of campaign contributions but Wess has a higher profile name.

Polls predict Wess as the winner.

Both party nominees will facoff in the Novermber General Election.

Tomorrow's Runoff Preview: Lt. Governor.