MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republican Roy Moore on Friday told supporters that the “battle is not over” in Alabama’s Senate race even though President Donald Trump and others called on him to concede.
Moore sent a fundraising email to supporters asking for contributions to his “election integrity fund” so he could investigate reports of voter fraud.
“I also wanted to let you know that this battle is NOT OVER!” he wrote.
Democrat Doug Jones on Tuesday defeated Moore by about 20,000 votes, or 1.5 percent, according to unofficial returns. But Moore, who was accused of sexual misconduct with teenage girls when he was in his 30s, has not yet conceded the heated Alabama race to fill the seat that previously belonged to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Moore told supporters the race was “close” and some military and provisional ballots had yet to be counted. Those are expected to be counted next week.
Moore said his campaign is collecting “numerous reported cases of voter fraud” to send to the secretary of state’s office.
Secretary of State John Merrill said it is unlikely that the last-minute ballots will change the outcome of the election or even trigger a recount.
Merrill said his office investigated reports of voting irregularities, but “we have not discovered any that have been proven factual in nature.”
Trump, who endorsed Moore, called Jones to congratulate him on his win. Trump on Friday said he thinks Moore should concede the race.