2018 Alabama Senate election

2018 Alabama Senate election
Election name	2018 Alabama Senate election
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Type	legislative
Previous election	2012 United States Senate election in Alabama
Previous year	2012
Next election	2024 United States Senate election in Alabama
Next year	2024
Election date	November 6, 2018

2018 Alabama Senate election The 2018 Alabama Senate election was a U.S. Senate contest in Alabama held on November 6, 2018, coinciding with the 2018 United States midterm elections and state-level contests such as the 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election. The race attracted national attention because of high-profile figures from the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and multiple political movements, generating extensive media coverage from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Fox News.

Background

Alabama's Senate seat had been held by Jeff Sessions until his 2017 resignation to become Attorney General of the United States in the Trump administration. Sessions' departure followed controversies related to the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller and debates within the United States Senate over confirmation votes. Governor Kay Ivey appointed Doug Jones to the seat, who had gained national prominence as the lead prosecutor in the Klan-related cases, including the conviction of defendants in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing era prosecutions. The appointment set up a competitive 2018 special election rematch that drew figures from movements such as the Tea Party movement and supporters of Donald Trump.

Candidates and primaries

The Republican primary field included established and insurgent figures. Notable candidates were former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, who had previously served on the Alabama Supreme Court and run for the Senate in 2017; Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat by Governor Robert J. Bentley in 2017; and Mo Brooks, a U.S. Representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district. Other Republican contenders encompassed state legislators and businesspeople aligned with factions represented by organizations like the Club for Growth and endorsements from national actors such as President Donald Trump.

On the Democratic side, Doug Jones ran as the incumbent appointed senator. Primary challengers included activists and elected officials linked to groups such as the Alabama Democratic Conference and labor organizations allied with the AFL–CIO. The Democratic primary process involved endorsements from national figures in the Democratic National Committee and outreach to coalitions including leaders from the NAACP and civil rights organizations active since the Civil Rights Movement.

Third-party and independent candidates also appeared on the ballot, including members of the Libertarian Party and independent activists connected to think tanks like the Cato Institute and advocacy groups influenced by the Tea Party movement.

Campaign and controversies

The campaign was marked by intense scrutiny of personal histories, allegations, and policy positions. Roy Moore faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct reported by national outlets including The Washington Post and debated with opponents about participation in forums hosted by institutions such as the University of Alabama. Moore’s campaign elicited responses from conservative institutions like the Federalist Society and prompted public statements from figures such as Senator Mitch McConnell and members of the Republican National Committee. Fundraising and advertising drew money from national political action committees such as EMILY's List and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Campaign conversations touched on judicial appointments referencing the Supreme Court of the United States nomination process, and on federal policy debates related to Medicare, Social Security, and trade disputes involving actors like Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Legal disputes emerged over ballot access and allegations of foreign interference highlighted by investigations led by committees in the Senate Judiciary Committee and commentary from legal scholars affiliated with universities such as Harvard University and Yale University.

The race received endorsements and oppositions from a cross-section of public figures: Senator Susan Collins and Senator Lindsey Graham weighed in, as did cultural figures linked to Alabama institutions like the University of Alabama Crimson Tide athletic program and entertainers with roots in the state.

Polling and predictions

Pre-election polling was volatile, with surveys conducted by organizations including Rasmussen Reports, Pew Research Center, Quinnipiac University, Gallup-affiliated pollsters, and media partners such as The Cook Political Report. Analysts from institutions like FiveThirtyEight, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and RealClearPolitics produced ratings that shifted from "Lean Republican" to "Toss-up" and "Lean Democratic" at various points. Polling margins narrowed in late October as national attention intensified, prompting strategic investments by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Election results

On November 6, 2018, the outcome was closely watched and led to a runoff because Alabama law requires a majority to win. The initial election saw strong turnout in counties such as Jefferson County, Alabama, Madison County, Alabama, and Mobile County, Alabama, with voting dynamics influenced by urban-rural divides similar to trends observed in the 2016 United States presidential election. Vote tallies were reported by the Alabama Secretary of State and aggregated by media organizations including The Associated Press.

The runoff, held in December 2017 for the prior special election and in 2018 for other contests, historically had produced surprise outcomes, as with the 2017 special election won by Doug Jones. In 2018 the final results reflected partisan mobilization, demographic shifts involving African American voters represented by coalitions tied to the Black Belt counties, and suburban responses in places like Baldwin County, Alabama.

Aftermath and impact

The election’s aftermath influenced Senate control debates in the 115th Congress and shaped strategies for the 116th Congress regarding judicial confirmations and legislative priorities. The outcome affected future campaigns in Alabama, including preparations for the 2020 United States Senate elections and the 2022 United States Senate elections, and informed national party approaches by the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. Legal scholars at institutions like Georgetown University Law Center and commentators at outlets such as Politico analyzed the implications for campaign ethics, ballot law, and the influence of media organizations including CNN and MSNBC on statewide contests.

Category:2018 elections in the United States