Former Alabama chief Supreme Court justice and conservative firebrand Roy Moore defeated Republican Sen. Luther Strange (Ala.) on Tuesday in Alabama's special primary runoff.
Moore will face off against Democratic candidate Doug Jones in the general election on Dec. 12 to determine who will permanently take over Attorney General Jeff Sessions' former seat, to which Strange was originally appointed.
BREAKING: Firebrand jurist Roy Moore wins Alabama GOP primary runoff for U.S. Senate, defeating Trump-backed incumbent.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 27, 2017
Moore, who was backed by President Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon and several conservative lawmakers, won the runoff primary by double digits over Strange, according to the Associated Press:
Trump endorsed Strange in the race and tweeted support for him on multiple occasions. As polls showed Strange in danger of losing, Trump visited Alabama to campaign at a rally attended by more than 7,000 people.
Moore, propelled by evangelical voters, consolidated support from a number of anti-establishment forces, including the pro-Trump Great America Alliance and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who spoke at a Monday rally. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in a rally for Moore last week, said the judge was a better match for Trump’s "movement."
Trump said at the Alabama rally that he would campaign for Moore in the general election if he secured the nomination but he believed Moore would have a tougher time against the Democrat in the race.
Trump tweeted congratulations to Moore on Tuesday night and urged him to win in December.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/912863676792786946