SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

'Battle rages on': Roy Moore refuses to concede Alabama election defeat in fiery video

US Republican Roy Moore has refused to concede defeat in the Alabama state election, despite a clear win to Democrat Doug Jones.

Republican Roy Moore refuses to concede Alabama election.
Republican Roy Moore refuses to concede Alabama election. Source: Reuters

3 min read

Published

Updated

By Riley Morgan


Skip to article content

Mr Moore on Thursday had still not conceded defeat after the bitterly fought election campaign against Democrat Doug Jones, who was widely accepted as the winner for a US Senate seat in the deeply conservative state.

In a video released to his Republican constituents after the result was announced, Mr Moore claimed there were military and provisional ballots still to be counted and that the campaign was waiting for certification by the Secretary of State.

Mr Moore then went on to address social issues and claimed politics the US was "corrupt".

He claimed that corruption extended to his election where he alleged $50 million from "outside groups" was used to retain power and corrupt ideology.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"That American dream has today been tainted by corrupt politics, and a government which is become out of control and out of touch with the people. Many do not share the vision of those who built this country," he said.

"Today, we no longer recognise the universal truth that god is the author of our life and liberty.

"Abortion, sodomy, and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Mr Moore rattled off a list of problems he deemed had destroyed the foundations of the US, including stopping prayer in schools, redefining marriage, abortion, a nationwide drug problem, border control and even gender issues.

"The battle rages on," Mr Moore said before he wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

The stunning upset by Mr Jones made him the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from Alabama in a quarter-century.

This will trim the Republicans' already narrow Senate majority to 51-49, endangering Mr Trump's agenda and opening the door for Democrats to possibly retake the chamber in next year's congressional elections.

Mr Trump endorsed Mr Moore even as other party leaders in Washington walked away from him, but Mr Jones, 63, a former federal prosecutor, portrayed the campaign as a referendum on decency and promised the state's voters he would not embarrass them in Washington.

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Doug Jones and his wife Louise wave to supporters before speaking during an election-night watch party Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Birmingham , Ala. Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Doug Jones and his wife Louise. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/John Bazemore

Mr Jones said in an interview with NBC that he was confident of the outcome.

“It’s time to move on,” he said. “The people of Alabama have now spoken ... Let’s get this behind us so the people of Alabama can get someone in there and start working for them.”

- With Reuters


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world