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Jones ‘overwhelmed’ by victory over Moore

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Doug Jones, second from left, waves to a supporter as he walks in a Christmas parade, in Selma, Ala. on Dec. 2. Jones, a Democrat who once prosecuted two Ku Klux Klansmen in a deadly church bombing and has now broken the Republican lock grip on Alabama, is the state’s new U.S. senator.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore talks to the media on election day as he votes today in Gallant, Ala.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. >> The Latest on Alabama’s U.S. Senate election (all times local):

10:05 p.m.

Alabama senator-elect Doug Jones says his victory over Republican Roy Moore in Tuesday’s special election marks a moment for national unity.

“I have always believed that the people of Alabama have more in common than divides us,” Moore tells supporters at his campaign victory rally. “We have shown the country the way that we can be.”

Jones, an attorney and former federal prosecutor, says he is “overwhelmed” by his upset win over Moore, who faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

“At the end of the day, this entire race has been about dignity and respect,” Jones says.

Jones says his campaign was about “finding common ground,” and is encouraging lawmakers in Washington to work together to fund the children’s health insurance program before he is seated.

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10 p.m.

Democrat Doug Jones’ upset win in Alabama’s Senate race has exposed the divisions within the GOP, pitting the establishment against former White House strategist Steve Bannon.

Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida says in a tweet: “The people of #Alabama put country first tonight by rejecting the disgusting Roy Moore. Congratulations to the Bannon wing of the GOP for gifting a seat to SenateDems in one of the reddest states. You have no future in our country’s politics.”

Bannon had backed Republican Roy Moore. Washington Republicans had favored Sen. Luther Strange and had called on Moore to step aside when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

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9:55 p.m.

Gleeful Senate Democrats are welcoming Doug Jones’ upset win in Alabama’s special election.

“Hot Damn,” tweeted New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan.

“Thank you Alabama!” tweeted Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Jones on Tuesday stunned Republican Roy Moore, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Once sworn in, Jones will serve the remainder of former Sen. Jeff Sessions’ term through 2020.

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who faces re-election next year, says: “I am grateful to the women who had the courage to come forward. Because of them and so many others like them, we are seeing meaningful change. I look forward to finding opportunities to work with Doug Jones in the Senate to support middle-class families.”

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9:45 p.m.

Alabama Republican Roy Moore’s campaign manager says the candidate is not yet conceding the U.S. Senate race.

Rich Hobson told a somber crowd at Moore’s election night gathering that: “Some people are calling it. We are not calling it.”

The Associated Press declared at 9:24 p.m. that Democrat Doug Jones had won election to the U.S. Senate seat from Alabama.

Hobson says the margin is thin and there are still votes to be counted. He is asking Moore’s supporters to pray.

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