Well, that was quite a night:
In a stunning conclusion to a contest that received international attention, Democrat Doug Jones is the apparent winner over Republican Roy Moore in the Senate race in this deeply conservative state, according to an NBC News projection.
It took an extraordinary alignment of events, including a sex scandal involving teenagers, for Alabamians to elect their first Democrat to the Senate in 25 years, but they triggered a political earthquake that will be felt far and wide.
With 99 percent of the vote in, Jones was leading 50-48 percent, or 673,236 votes to 652,300 votes — a margin of more than 20,000. (our emphasis)#ThankYouAlabama !!
Although "No Moore" has so far refused to concede defeat, under Alabama law Jones' margin of victory would not qualify for one.
Tellingly, one of the big losers from last night was already doing his typical blame- avoidance shuffle after going all- in on "No Moore":
The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017
The Republican margin in the Senate, once Jones is sworn in, will be 51-49. More later.
BONUS: "No Moore's" suffering horse "Sassy" has something to say, too:
I AM OVERJOYED TO BE SO SUDDENLY IRRELEVANT— Roy Moore's Horse (@RoyMooresHorse) December 13, 2017
I AM WAITING EAGERLY FOR YOU TO COME GET ME @GDouglasJones— Roy Moore's Horse (@RoyMooresHorse) December 13, 2017
Roy Moore's horse Sassy breaks her silence pic.twitter.com/tRWqp3fyLn— JDCrowe2 (@Crowetoons) December 12, 2017
BONUS II: The African American turnout for Jones was the key to his victory, women in particular; young voters and voters in normally Republican suburban counties also were factors.
Amazing: turnout is at 72%-77% of '16 presidential race in heavily black counties, but just 55%-60% in rural white counties. Black voters punching above their weight tonight & giving Jones a chance. #ALSEN— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) December 13, 2017
African American voters in Alabama did more to help white working Americans last night than DT has done all year.#ThankYouAlabama— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 13, 2017
