Wednesday, Republican Second Congressional candidate Jessica Taylor did not concede the race; but did acknowledge that “it appears likely” that Barry Moore will be the candidate to face Jeff Coleman in the Republican primary runoff on March 31.
“While we wait patiently for all the ballots to be counted, I want to offer my congratulations to Barry Moore on his strong finish in this race,” Taylor said in a statement. “At this time, it appears likely that he will be the one to move forward into the run-off.”
“It has been a great privilege and the experience of a lifetime to be able to take our conservative message to the national stage,” Jessica Taylor said. “We started a Conservative Squad to go toe-to-toe with the radical socialists in the swamp. We have fought to promote and protect our Alabama values. I am proud to say we have shown that there are strong, conservative Republican women ready to lead. The support and encouragement we received from conservatives across the district, this state, and the nation has been humbling. To my team, my family, and all our supporters — to everyone who believed in us — I am forever grateful. Thank you so much.”
In the preliminary results, Businessman and former BCA Chairman Jeff Coleman had 39,738 votes (38 percent). Former State Representative Barry Moore received 21,354 votes (20 percent), Jessica Taylor received 20,763 (20 percent), former Attorney General Troy King finished in fourth with 15,145 votes (15 percent). Former Bush Administration official Terri Hasdorff got 5,207 votes (5 percent), Thomas Brown had 1,395 votes (1 percent). Bob Rogers received 824 votes (1 percent).
There are still provisional ballots that have to be counted; but it appears unlikely that there would be enough provisional ballots to overcome the 591 vote lead that Moore currently has over Taylor in the preliminary vote. On Wednesday, the Alabama Republican Primary called the race for Barry Moore.
Taylor received a number of endorsements from groups that want to see more Republican women elected to Congress and was a frequent guest on Fox and Friends. Her campaign was noted for its frequent criticism of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, and her squad. Taylor is a businesswoman in Prattville. She is married to former State Senator Bryan Taylor.
Coleman will face Moore in the Republican primary runoff. The winner will face Democrat Phyllis Harvey-Hall in the November 3 general election. Harvey-Hall received 27,399 votes (59 percent) in the Democratic primary edging out Nathan Mathis who received 18,898 votes 41 percent. The number of voters in the Second Congressional District Republican primary were more than twice the number of votes cast in the CD2 Democratic primary. Persons who voted in the Democratic primary can not vote in the Republican primary runoff on March 31.
Second Congressional District incumbent Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, is not seeking a sixth term in Congress.
