Britt wins GOP nomination for U.S. Senate; Brooks concedes

Jun. 22—Katie Britt, the former aide to retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, was the overwhelming choice among the state's Republican voters to be their candidate to replace her former boss.

CNN officially called Britt as the winner of the state U.S. Senate runoff race at 8:15 p.m. The Associated Press gave its call at 8:29 p.m.

By 10 p.m. Britt was the apparent victor in all of Alabama's 67 counties. Her narrowest margin of victory was 51-49 percent in Madison County, home of her opponent Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville). Britt was posting 64-36 percent over Brooks statewide.

A clearly excited Britt entered a ballroom of supporters with "Sweet Home Alabama" blaring in the background as her numbers continued to grow and her nomination was secured.

"Tonight, me standing in front of you is proof the American Dream is alive," Britt said. "And, we're running to preserve that for your children."

"Alabama has spoken," she continued. "We want new blood. We want fresh blood. We want someone who will fight for our Christian conservative values, who will fight for the freedoms and liberty this nation was founded on and will fight for that American Dream for the next generation and the next."

"Too often we have politicians who come down and lecture us instead of listen," Britt said. "What I want you to know is I hear you and I think it is safe to say tonight America has heard Alabama."

Britt thanked Brooks for his service to the state and nation and said she would "work hard to earn the support of his voters."

Brooks did not reciprocate any kind feelings for Britt as he conceded the race, saying the "Democrats now have two nominees for Senate: [Democrat nominee] Will Boyd and Britt."

"We are sending the exact opposite to Washington, D.C., of what is needed," Brooks told supporters as he conceded, adding he "didn't like" congratulating the winner and accused super PACs supporting Britt as "unfairly tarnishing" May primary third-place finisher Michael Durant.

Durant had refused to endorse either Britt or Brooks after his primary loss.

The final numbers effectively end Brooks' almost 40-year career as an elected official, most recently serving in the U.S. House since 2010.

Numbers in Calhoun County and statewide late Tuesday showed Britt easily bettered the 45 percent she posted for the May 24 primary with 67 percent of the county's vote.

Britt outpaced Brooks 63-37 in Talladega County, 53-47 in St. Clair County, 69-31 in Cleburne County, and 67-33 in Calhoun County.

Brooks' numbers in Calhoun County suggested a local shift of support to Britt by supporters of Durant who came in second behind Britt in Calhoun County during the May primary.

The most recent polling by Auburn University at Montgomery conducted the week of June 8-15 had shown Britt with a 50-30 edge over Brooks.

One interesting twist about the polling for the two candidates who fought for the support of former President Donald Trump is the AUM poll found that among Alabama Republican voters who view Trump favorably, 46 percent expressed support for Britt compared to 70 percent who view Trump unfavorably.

Among those who believe Biden's 2020 victory was illegitimate, the AUM poll showed 46 percent support Britt compared to 64 percent who believe Biden legitimately won the election.

Britt will now face Democratic nominee Will Boyd, who is a pastor, and the Libertarian candidate, John Sophocleus, a former Auburn University professor in the Nov. 8 general election.