Jared Hudson picked up a major Second Amendment endorsement in the Alabama Senate runoff as the National Association for Gun Rights PAC announced its backing of the former Navy SEAL ahead of the June 16 Republican primary.

Hudson will face U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) for the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn). NAGR PAC, backed by more than 4.5 million members and supporters, is one of the largest pro-gun organizations in the country.

“Alabama is deep red, and gun owners here should not be asked to settle for ‘good enough,’” said Dudley Brown, president of NAGR PAC. “This is a state that should be sending champions to Washington, not politicians who wait for someone else to cut the trail and then claim credit for walking it.”

Brown said the endorsement reflects the organization’s belief that Hudson would bring aggressive pro-gun leadership to the Senate at a time when gun owners are looking for fighters.

“The question is not whether a candidate can vote right when the pressure is off,” Brown said. “The question is whether he will lead when the pressure is on. Jared Hudson is the pro-gun champion in this race, and NAGR PAC is proud to stand with him.”

Hudson, a former Navy SEAL and law enforcement officer, has made the Second Amendment a central part of his campaign and pledged a 100% pro-gun record on the NAGR candidate questionnaire.

“This is an unbelievable honor,” Hudson said in a campaign video. “The Second Amendment doesn’t need quiet supporters. It needs real fighters.”

The runoff is June 16.

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