CIVPAC has endorsed Everett W. Wess in Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate election.
The decision follows our review of Wess, Republican Congressman Barry Moore, and independent candidate Craig Jelks. Each presents a very different record, and our endorsement of Wess comes with reservations about gaps in his public positions.
Wess brings an unusually varied professional background. Before practicing law, he spent many years working in information technology. He subsequently practiced law for more than two decades and served as a municipal judge. We were particularly interested in his emphasis on constitutional government, congressional responsibility, political stability and the possibility of working constructively across party lines.
At the same time, Wess has not yet developed detailed public positions on several issues important to CIVPAC. We would like to know considerably more about his views on fiscal policy, energy, immigration and especially American foreign policy, including continued support for Ukraine and NATO.
We also considered independent Craig Jelks. Jelks has taken positions on tariffs, federal deficits, congressional war powers and political independence that reflect well on him. His candidacy nevertheless raises significant unanswered questions. His cultural conservatism differs from CIVPAC’s generally libertarian approach to personal issues, his comments suggesting that the United States is overly focused on foreign affairs give us concern about possible retrenchment, and he has not explained which party he would caucus with in the Senate. Nor has he yet demonstrated a substantial statewide electoral constituency.
Our greatest concerns involve Barry Moore’s established record. Moore continues to associate himself with claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, strongly identifies his Senate candidacy with President Trump, opposed the 2026 Ukraine Support Act, and supports the administration’s broad use of tariffs. Those positions conflict with several priorities that have become increasingly important in CIVPAC’s evaluations: respect for democratic institutions, an independent Congress, support for Ukraine and skepticism toward protectionism.
Readers interested in the details can read our full Alabama Senate evaluation and endorsement of Everett Wess.
Our other endorsements and evaluations for the 2026 elections are collected on our 2026 endorsements page.
