Jelks attacks Moore over healthcare, Iran in U.S. Senate race

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Craig Jelks has launched a volley of criticisms at his Republican opponent, U.S. Representative Barry Moore, R-Alabama, after Moore won the June 16 primary runoff to become the Republican nominee in the race for Alabama’s open Senate seat.

“Barry Moore must decide who he’s more loyal to: Donald Trump, or the people of Alabama,” Jelks wrote in a statement Sunday evening. “Because right now, his record makes that choice clear—and it isn’t us.”

In the statement, Jelks highlighted various aspects of Moore’s voting record, specifically criticizing Moore for his support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and his defense of the Trump administration’s war in Iran.

“Moore voted for the Big Beautiful Bill, a vote that raised health care costs and stripped away safety-net support for Alabama families who can least afford it,” Jelks said. “That’s rent money, grocery money, medicine money for people in this state.”

“And while Alabama families paid more at the pump every week because of the war in Iran, Moore voted to protect the president’s authority over reining in the conflict,” Jelks said. “Even some Republicans broke ranks to put their constituents first. Moore wasn’t one of them.”

Jelks also pointed to Moore’s receipt of $6,600 in campaign contributions from Elon Musk in 2025—an issue he has attacked Moore on previously.

“That’s what public service is supposed to look like,” Jelks said, referring to his own experience as a local educator who has worked with students, families and veterans. “It’s not supposed to look like blind loyalty to the president, or collecting money from big donors like Elon Musk.”

Jelks encouraged Alabama voters to support his campaign, describing his candidacy as “what voters say they want and what the people of Alabama need: a leader with integrity, courage, and compassion.”

“There’s a lot of work to be done in our state. We consistently rank at the bottom of quality-of-life metrics. If that is to change, Alabama must be bold and elect someone loyal to people, not ideology—and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Jelks said. “Barry Moore has made a career out of politics, and now he sees the U.S. Senate as his next promotion. We won’t allow this to happen. Our campaign will offer common sense solutions to the challenges we face.”

“Alabama deserves a senator who will look Washington in the eye and say no when no is the right answer,” Jelks said. “Even if that means saying no to the president of the United States.”

Moore’s team did not immediately respond to APR’s request for comment.

Jelks, Moore and Democratic nominee Everett Wess will face off in the November general election to determine Alabama’s next U.S. senator.