Firebrand judge Moore forces runoff in Alabama Senate race

By KIM CHANDLER
Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Sen. Luther Strange will face off with Ten Commandments judge Roy Moore in a Republican runoff for the Senate seat that previously belonged to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Moore on Tuesday forced Strange into a Republican runoff even though Strange was backed by an endorsement from President Donald Trump and millions of dollars from establishment GOP forces.

Moore has a heavy following among the state’s evangelical voters after stands for the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage.

Moore told supporters they had sent a message to Washington “elitists” that they could not control the race. Strange, who was appointed to the seat in February, emphasized his endorsement from Trump in a state where Trump remains deeply popular among GOP voters.

The runoff winner will face Democratic nominee Doug Jones in a December election.

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Congratulation to Roy Moore and Luther Strange for being the final two and heading into a September runoff in Alabama. Exciting race!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017