U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) defeated former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson on Tuesday night to win the Republican nomination for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat.

Moore carried 55.80% of the vote to Hudson’s 44.20%, taking 173,418 votes to 137,340 out of more than 310,000 cast in unofficial returns.

“Thank you, Alabama! I am so grateful to God for His grace, guidance, and blessings,” Moore wrote on Facebook. “Tonight’s victory belongs to every supporter, volunteer, and voter who believed in our mission. Heather and I are deeply grateful for your trust, and we’re ready to keep fighting for Alabama families, workers, farmers, veterans, and small businesses in the United States Senate.”

Moore also looked ahead to working alongside Alabama’s other Republican leaders. “I’m also excited to continue working alongside Senator Katie Britt and soon-to-be Governor Tommy Tuberville to advance conservative values, create new opportunities, and ensure Alabama has a strong voice at every level of government,” Moore wrote. “The best days for Alabama are still ahead. Now, the real work begins.”

Moore carried President Trump’s endorsement throughout the race and led the seven-candidate May 19 primary with 39.18% of the vote. Hudson, a decorated combat veteran who built his campaign on an outsider message and Second Amendment credentials, finished second at 25.63%, narrowly edging Attorney General Steve Marshall out of the runoff by roughly 5,300 votes.

Moore will succeed U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who is vacating the seat to run for governor. He faces Democratic nominee Everett Wess, an attorney who defeated Dakarai Larriett in Tuesday’s Democratic runoff, in the November 3 general election.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].