At approximately 9:10 p.m., the Alabama Senate Race was called in favor of Tommy Tuberville, with Tuberville having 61% of the votes at that time.
Tuberville will take the seat from incumbent Senator Doug Jones, who has served since 2017.
The band played Sweet Home Alabama as people crowded together to celebrate the win. As Tuberville took the stage, he expressed a sentiment that many of his supporters said they have been waiting for since Jones took office.
"Welcome back to a Republican United States Senate," Tuberville said.
As a former Auburn football coach, Tuberville said he was proud to stand as an, "outsider with conservative values." He thanked everyone who came to his event tonight, and his opponent Doug Jones for putting up a fight.
"An Alabama Senate seat can not be bought," he said. "I want to thank Doug Jones for his effort, but it's time to go home."
The crowd cheered as Tuberville thanked everyone for their support, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. While on stage, he spoke to Mike Pence on the phone, who said he was grateful that the state was, "sending a great senator to D.C."
Before closing his speech, Tuberville said there were three promises that he would keep to the citizens of Alabama while serving his term.
"First, I will be guided by shared, conservative values," he said. "I will make you proud that I'm your representative; I will work for you. Finally, each time I step on the Senate floor, I will be mindful of the words of 2 Corinthians 3:17."
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Natalie Beckerink, senior in political science, is the content editor of The Auburn Plainsman.
