Senator Arthur Oh Faces Competitive Primaries for 2026
It looks like Senator Arthur Oh is gearing up for some intense competition in the upcoming 2026 primaries, particularly around the race being dubbed the “Knife Battle.”
Orr, who represents Decatur (R), shared insights during his feature on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show” this Friday. He highlighted the intense nature of the race for Alabama Attorney General, calling it “hot.” He added that Barry Moore (R. EntelPrize), a candidate for the U.S. Senate, shouldn’t be dismissed, even with current Attorney General Steve Marshall in the mix.
Moore recently launched his campaign and remarked to the Daily Caller, “I’ve probably been a Democrat in many ways or at least recently, and I think I might be the only candidate out there right now.”
When Orr was asked about the impact of Moore’s statement, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging its potential implications, suggesting that this sort of sentiment often emerges in election cycles.
“I haven’t delved deeply into it, but it seems plausible that Barry Moore is onto something—after all, I ran as a Democrat many years back before switching,” Orr noted.
In terms of impact, Orr expressed skepticism about whether Moore’s admission would significantly affect the race, especially given that Marshall is serving Republicans effectively at various levels.
Orr also predicted that the fight to succeed Marshall would be vigorous. The GOP lineup already features strong candidates, with Katherine Robertson, Marshall’s former leading lawyer, having kicked off her campaign in June—an event that garnered Marshall’s support. Additionally, Jay Mitchell, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge, resigned from his position in May to join the fray.
“It’s going to get intense,” Orr continued, describing the competition as nearly a “knife fight” with lots of sharp exchanges.
Robertson’s campaign recently received a major boost with $1 million in contributions from First Princeship Action, a Nashville-based organization, plus another $100,000 shortly afterward. Meanwhile, concerns were raised about Jay Mitchell’s campaign being bolstered by “dark out-of-state money.”
Orr anticipates that as funding increases, the tone of the campaigns may shift dramatically, possibly spiraling into negativity.
“This is where negative ads tend to come into play, designed to define an opponent. With substantial funds flowing in, expect to see a lot of these ads,” he predicted.
However, he noted that ultimately, the candidate who prevails will be one capable of portraying themselves as a “reliable and responsible” Attorney General.
“It’s more than just being negative. Presenting oneself effectively is essential too. These candidates certainly have the ability to do that,” he remarked.
The Alabama Republican primary is set for May 19, 2026, which is just 277 days away.
