ALABAMA – In a stunning come-from-behind victory, Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in the U.S. Senate special election Tuesday by a razor-thin margin, and for the first time in 25 years, Alabama is sending a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. But while the Associated Press declared Jones the winner, and both President Donald Trump and the Alabama Republican Party congratulated Jones on the win, Moore did not concede the election, instead saying the race is "not over." Jones garnered 50 percent of the vote, to Moore's 48 percent. Two percent of the vote consisted of write-ins.
Video of Moore's remarks is courtesy of ABC 33/40:
Alabama Sec. of State John Merrill said it does not appear that an automatic recount will occur. Below is video of Merrill's remarks, courtesy of ABC 33/40.
Last night's election looks to have brought a close to a hard-fought, downright bitter campaign, with Moore’s supporters not budging on issues like abortion and traditional marriage, and Jones’ faithful likewise entrenched on a woman’s right to choose, marriage equality and access to healthcare for all.
The campaign became a literal free-for-all when The Washington Post published an article on Nov. 9, reporting allegations that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32 and an assistant district attorney, in 1979. Since then, eight more women have come forward. Moore supporters have questioned the timing of the accusations, while his detractors have rallied behind the women.
Moore has vehemently denied the allegations, saying he does not know the women in question.
Political heavyweights from both sides threw their support behind their chosen candidates. Longtime Alabama Republican Sen. Richard Shelby doubled down on his previous remarks against Moore, saying on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, “I didn't vote for Roy Moore. I wouldn't vote for Roy Moore. I think the Republican Party can do better.” Meanwhile, Trump whole-heartedly endorsed Moore, and began making robo-calls in the state just prior to the election.
Statewide results (posted below as of midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 13)
- Doug Jones (DEM), 49.92%, 671,151
- Roy S. Moore (REP), 48.38%, 650,436
- Write-In, 1.69%, 22,780
Things could not have been more different in Cullman County, where Moore won handily, claiming 79 percent of the vote. The county had a high voter turn-out rate, at 38 percent.
Sheriff Matt Gentry reported no disruptions or disturbances at any polling locations, and Probate Judge Tammy Brown said that there were no issues with voting machinery or other irregularities. “We actually had a really good day,” said the judge, with cautious optimism.
Brown noted that provisional ballots (such as those submitted by voters whose names did not appear on the voter list in what should have been their assigned polling location) still need to be counted, adding, “By law, that has to be counted the following Tuesday, giving the Board of Registrars that week to decide what provisional ballots count and what don’t.”
The number of provisional votes is not yet known.
Cullman County Republican Party Chairman Waid Harbison appeared at the courthouse as the final precincts reported. At that time, Moore also held a multi-point lead in statewide results. Seeing Cullman’s results on the large screen in the courtroom, Harbison shared, “I think it’s pretty safe for Roy Moore in Cullman County. I think that’s really great, because this has been a very controversial election. But I think what’s more exciting than the percentage is the turnout, because we’re looking at 30-something percent of voters in Cullman County, which is going to be really good, because in the primary we had about 17 percent. I think it’s going to be close to 38 percent, which is fantastic. That’s one of the best voter turnouts we’ve had in a really long time. That’s going to definitely help.
“Part of the state Republican Party’s strategy was to run up the tally in safe Republican counties–Cullman County and places like that. Cullman County, in the past several elections, has been in the top 10 in voter turnout per number. With that being true, a lot of these voters coming out are offsetting some of the bigger areas where you’re having more votes for Doug Jones, from Jefferson County or Mobile County. Hopefully, Cullman County did its part.
“I’ll say this: locally the Cullman County Republican Party did a lot to support Roy Moore. We had a lot of our people volunteer: putting out signs, calling people, just doing a lot of stuff. It’s been a great effort from the county party, and we’re excited about this awesome turnout and the overwhelming percentage that voted for Roy Moore.”
- PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 51) . . . . . 50- 98.04%
- REGISTERED VOTERS – TOTAL . . . . . 56,068
- BALLOTS CAST – TOTAL. . . . . . . 21,091
- VOTER TURNOUT – TOTAL . . . . . . 37.62%
STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING (Vote for no more than ) 1 (WITH 50 OF 51 PRECINCTS COUNTED 98.04%)
- ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY (DEM) . . . 1,288 16.76%
- ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY (REP) . . . 6,395 83.24%
- Over Votes . . . . . . . . . 5
- Under Votes . . . . . . . . . 13,397
UNITED STATES SENATOR (Vote for no more than ) 1 (WITH 50 OF 51 PRECINCTS COUNTED 98.04%)
- DOUG JONES (DEM) . . . . . . . . 4,156- 19.71%
- ROY S. MOORE (REP) . . . . . . . 16,602- 78.75%
- WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 324- 1.54%
- Over Votes . . . . . . . . . 2
- Under Votes . . . . . . . . . 7
Remarks from the state parties
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan made the following statement:
“While we are deeply disappointed in the extremely close U.S. Senate election results, with our candidate Judge Roy Moore, we respect the voting process given to us by our Founding Fathers. We are grateful to the army of Republican volunteers who sacrificed their time to help during this most important race. We are also thankful to President Trump and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel for their support. Good conservative government and policies are always worth pursuing.”
“During this campaign, we heard Mr. Jones repeatedly say he would talk about ‘kitchen table issues’ and that he would ‘reach across the aisle’ to work with Republicans. While these issues weren’t discussed and no other Democratic Senator has worked with the Republicans, all eyes will be on his votes. Alabamians will watch the issues he will support or try to stop. We will hold him accountable for his votes.”
“Sixty percent of all partisan elected officials in our state are Republicans. We expect a strong slate of Republican candidates in 2018 as we continue to grow our base.”
“Alabamians are conservative and have no intentions of moving toward the policies of the Democrat Party. If Mr. Jones aligns himself with the liberal Democrats in Washington, Alabama voters will remember his choices in the 2020 U.S. Senate election.”
“Now that this race has ended, may this holiday season of peace, love and hope resonate with everyone, regardless of one’s political affiliation.”
Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley made the following statement:
"Tonight, the people of Alabama elected Doug Jones, a man of intelligence and character, to the United States Senate. Doug's hard work, crisscrossing the state for weeks on end, paid off in a great victory for working families and the 'kitchen table' issues that voters care about. He will continue to work hard to protect jobs for Alabamians, good schools, affordable health care and justice for everyone in our state.
"Thsi is a great victory for all Alabamians, and a clear signal that Alabama Democrats will be on the offensive and ready to win in 2018."
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