By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle.
As the 2026 election season starts to heat up, a crowded field of candidates has already announced their intentions to run for public office. With Senator Tommy Tuberville’s decision not to seek reelection to run for governor, several Republicans and Democrats are vying to win his soon-to-be-open U.S. Senate seat.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore formally qualified Friday to run for the U.S. Senate, entering the 2026 election cycle for an open seat representing Alabama.
Moore announced his candidacy during a small gathering in Hoover attended by around 50 supporters, friends, and family members. He briefly addressed the crowd, reflecting on his political career and outlining priorities he said would guide his campaign.
Following Moore’s qualification, President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Moore in a social media post supporting his Senate bid.
“Congressman Barry Moore, an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning … is running for the United States Senate in Alabama,” Trump wrote.
Trump also highlighted Moore’s early support during his initial presidential campaign, stating, “He was the first elected official in the country to endorse me.” He described Moore as “a good friend, fighter, and winner,” adding that Moore has his “complete and total endorsement to be the next United States senator from Alabama.”
During his remarks in Hoover, Moore pointed to recent federal actions he said have improved border enforcement, strengthened foreign policy, and eased economic pressures. He claimed current policies have led to lower fuel costs, easing grocery prices, and tax relief, developments he said are benefiting families across Alabama. Moore also emphasized immigration enforcement and highlighted his voting record in the U.S. House of Representatives, stating that his legislative experience distinguishes him from other candidates in the race.
Republican Primary Field for U.S. Senate
Moore is just one of several candidates who have officially qualified to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat. According to the Alabama Republican Party, the GOP primary field includes Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Jared Hudson, Rodney Walker, Dale Shelton Deas Jr., and Rep. Moore.
Democratic Nomination Field
On the Democratic side, several candidates have filed to seek their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat. Those candidates include Dakarai Larriett, a business owner and criminal justice reform advocate; Kyle Sweetser, a Mobile businessman who has campaigned across the state; and Mark S. Wheeler II. The Democratic primary will determine the party’s nominee for the general election. At this time, no prominent national or Alabama Democrats have endorsed a specific candidate.
Candidates Filed for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District
With Moore seeking a higher office, Alabama’s 1st Congressional District will be an open-seat race this year. Several Republican candidates have already filed to seek the nomination for the seat, which covers much of South Alabama, including Dale County.
According to party records, candidates who have qualified to run in the Republican primary for Congressional District 1 include Jerry Carl, James ‘Jimmy’ Dees, Rhett Marques, Joshua McKee, and James Richardson.
Additional candidates may enter the race as the election cycle continues, and separate Democratic filings are expected for the district.
Senate Seat and Election Timeline
The Senate race is for the open seat following the decision by Sen. Tommy Tuberville not to seek re-election as he pursues the governor’s office. Alabama’s U.S. Senate seats have been held primarily by Republicans in recent election cycles, but the state elected Democrat Doug Jones in a 2017 special election before the seat returned to Republican control in 2020. Jones entered the race for governor recently.
The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with a runoff election, if necessary, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
