Democrats face uphill battle in Alabama Senate race as GOP field grows
The field for the U.S. Senate is growing. It appears Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will be running for Sen. Tommy Tuberville鈥檚 seat after he announced his bid for Alabama鈥檚 governor's seat. Marshall's name is added to the list of several other candidates who have already made it official. On the Democratic ticket: Kyle Sweetser from Mobile, Dakarai Larriett from Birmingham, and Mark Wheeler II from Heflin.
On the Republican side, Steve Marshall and Jared Hudson.
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Many believe the gubernatorial and Senate races will be decided in the primary, predicting these races will follow what we've seen for many years and go to the Republican candidate. Steve Marshall鈥檚 announcement on Thursday did not come as a surprise to political analysts. His YouTube ad highlights his closeness to President Trump and the Trump agenda.
Marshall said, 鈥淚 think what Alabama鈥檚 needing with their next senator is a strong, proven leader who can support the agenda of President Trump and represents the values of the people of Alabama. For eight and a half years, I鈥檝e now served as the attorney general. They've seen us take on tough battles and be successful. And I think that's what they're looking for from the next senator.鈥�
Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson says it took a lot of prayer and conversations with his wife and advisors before deciding to run for U.S. Senate. He leads a national nonprofit that combats human trafficking. His only political involvement was a run for Jefferson County Sheriff in 2022. He said the fact that he's not a career politician is what makes him the best choice to fill Tommy Tuberville's seat.
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Hudson said, 鈥淚'm asking you to send a real warrior to Washington. And the reason I know I am is because I鈥檝e gone and fought on behalf of this country overseas and in war zones. (I鈥檝e) killed people and lost buddies, on Memorial Day, remembering dead buddies. That is what a warrior does. That's what a warrior is. Work with law enforcement, worked as a law enforcement officer stateside, going out to protect the people in the community that we live in.鈥�
University of Alabama Political Science Professor Marissa Grayson said we'll see several more Republicans entering the race over the next few months, but she feels, at this point, Steve Marshall has the advantage.
She said, 鈥淧rimary elections, the people who tend to show up are the people who are very, you know, tied to the party, pay attention to politics. And so with that group of people, I do think it helps him.鈥�
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Grayson said for Democrats to have a real shot in these statewide races, the party needs to unite and have a cohesive strategy, because right now it's very splintered.