Trump Endorsements Not Decisive in Alabama GOP Primaries

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new statewide survey of likely Republican primary voters in Alabama suggests that President Donald Trump's endorsements, while still influential, are not determinative in the state's 2026 primaries. The poll finds candidates endorsed by Trump trailing in both the U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor races, with a potential endorsement from U.S. Senator Katie Britt potentially carrying greater weight with voters.

Why it matters

This poll challenges the assumption that Trump's backing has settled Alabama's Republican primaries, suggesting the races are more likely to be decided by candidate performance, voter contact, and resource deployment rather than endorsements alone. It raises the possibility that Alabama's junior senator may hold one of the most consequential endorsements in the 2026 election cycle.

The details

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Attorney General Steve Marshall leads U.S. Representative Barry Moore by nine points, 26 percent to 17 percent, with 43 percent of voters still undecided. Moore received Trump's endorsement, but the poll shows it has not fundamentally reshaped the race. In the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, Secretary of State Wes Allen leads ALGOP Chairman John Wahl by 17 points, 23 percent to 6 percent, with 59 percent of voters undecided. Trump's endorsement of Wahl has yet to significantly alter the race.

• The February 1–4 poll of 500 likely GOP primary voters was conducted by The Alabama Poll.
• Moore received Trump's endorsement earlier this year.