Doug Jones bests Roy Moore

On Dec. 12, Alabama held a special election to fill newly-appointed United States Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, senate seat. Doug Jones (D), defeated opponent, Roy Moore (R),Tuesday in Alabama’s election after a brutal campaign. Jones’s victory in Alabama marks the first time a democrat has won a senate election since 1992.

Roy Moore refused to concede Tuesday night, saying he believed that the margin of victory was narrow enough to trigger an automatic recount. But the Alabama Republican Party said it would not support Moore’s desire for a recount.

“When the vote is this close.. It’s not over” Moore told his supporters after Jones was declared victorious.

Secretary of State John Merrill said he believed even though the margin of victory stood at more than 1 percent, an automatic recount could still be ordered if a review of write-in votes and military ballots narrowed the margin of victory to less than 0.5 percent.

A month before the special election, The Washington Post released a report of allegations that Moore had sexual conduct with teenage girls while he was in his 30s. One woman alleged that Moore had her touch him inappropriately when she was just 14. After the initial report, additional women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Moore denied the accusations, but many Republicans called on him to drop out of the campaign. However, others including President Trump and Steve Bannon stood by Moore.

Although the strong support from Trump, Doug Jones won the Alabama, 49.9% to Roy Moore’s 48.4%

In an exit poll conducted by CNN 29% of the Alabama electorate was made up of black voters, and 96% of those voters backed Jones. Black voters turned out for the special election at a higher level than their share of the electorate when Obama was on the ballot in 2008 and 2012. Also, a nearly unanimous 98% of black women backed Jones over Moore.

Roy Moore continues to refuse to concede the Alabama special election.