AP projects Katie Britt to win Alabama’s open US Senate seat

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama has its first elected female U.S. senator.

The Associated Press has called the race for Katie Britt. She will now take over for her former boss, Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring at the end of this term after 36 years in the Senate.

“I am humbled, I am honored and grateful, I want you to know I understand what a tremendous responsibility these milestones carry, and I do not take that lightly,” Britt said in her victory speech.

Britt used to be Shelby’s chief of staff. She then went on to become president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama before resigning to run for Senate.

The Republican Britt beat Democrat Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus.

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Although she’s worked for a senator, this will be Britt’s first time in elected office. She has said there needs to be “fresh blood” in Washington.

“And in order to achieve our full potential, we’re going to need local, state, and federal leaders working together. We must seize the opportunity ahead of us and face our challenges head-on. That is how you make Alabama first and we do it together,” Britt said to supporters Tuesday night.

Britt laid out multiple priorities for her new role on the campaign trail. Among them was fighting fentanyl abuse, rolling back taxes and becoming more energy-independent. She campaigned heavily, particularly leading up to the GOP primary. She ran on a pro-life platform with additional emphasis on border security. She said she supports former President Donald Trump’s border wall and “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Trump endorsed Britt after pulling his previous endorsement of her GOP primary rival, Mo Brooks.

She also said she aims to “protect Christian conservative principles” as a senator.

According to the Federal Election Commission, Britt far outpaced her opponents in fundraising, raising more than $10 million since March 2021. The commission reported Boyd’s campaign as bringing in just over $123,000 since the start of 2022. Sophocleus’ fundraising was not listed, but the Alabama Libertarian Party reported his campaign finances as less than $5,000.

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