Rep. Barry Moore won Alabama's Republican Senate runoff Tuesday, defeating former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson and securing the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Newsmax and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Moore about two hours after the polls closed. With about 51% of the vote totaled, Moore had 59.9% and Hudson 40.1%.

Moore, a three-term congressman from southeast Alabama and member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, entered the runoff with the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who backed the lawmaker months before the primary campaign entered its final stretch.

Trump cited Moore's conservative voting record and support for the president's agenda when announcing the endorsement.

The runoff followed a crowded Republican primary in May in which Moore finished first but fell short of the majority required to avoid a second round of voting.

Hudson, a political newcomer who founded an organization focused on fighting human trafficking, advanced after narrowly edging Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for the second runoff spot.

Throughout the campaign, Moore emphasized his experience in Congress and his support for Trump's America First agenda, including border security measures, military strength, and conservative judicial appointments.

Hudson portrayed himself as an outsider and argued that Washington needed leaders willing to challenge the political establishment.

The Senate seat became open after Tuberville opted to run for governor rather than seek another term. Republicans are heavily favored to retain the seat in November in one of the nation's most reliably Republican states.

Moore now advances to the general election Nov. 3, where he will face the winner of the Democrat runoff between Everett Wess and Dakarai Larriett.

Moore's race was closely watched by national Republicans as another test of Trump's influence in GOP primaries, with the president's endorsement giving Moore a significant advantage in the runoff campaign.