Reaction continues after Doug Jones' victory in AL's Senate race

(WSFA) - Tuesday, Doug Jones became the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama since Richard Shelby in 1992. Jones defeated his Republican opponent, Roy Moore, in Alabama's special Senate election.

Before making his victory speech, Doug Jones thanked his supporters on Twitter:

Almost immediately after Jones was declared the winner, leaders like President Donald Trump and others also took to Twitter:

The Alabama GOP's Terry Lathan issued this statement:

"While we are deeply disappointed in the extremely close U.S. Senate election results, with our candidate Judge Roy Moore, we respect the voting process given to us by our Founding Fathers. We are grateful to the army of Republican volunteers who sacrificed their time to help during this most important race. We are also thankful to President Trump and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel for their support. Good conservative government and policies are always worth pursuing."
 
"During this campaign, we heard Mr. Jones repeatedly say he would talk about 'kitchen table issues' and that he would 'reach across the aisle' to work with Republicans. While these issues weren't discussed and no other Democratic Senator has worked with the Republicans, all eyes will be on his votes. Alabamians will watch the issues he will support or try to stop. We will hold him accountable for his votes."
 
"Sixty percent of all partisan elected officials in our state are Republicans. We expect a strong slate of Republican candidates in 2018 as we continue to grow our base."
 
"Alabamians are conservative and have no intentions of moving toward the policies of the Democrat Party. If Mr. Jones aligns himself with the liberal Democrats in Washington, Alabama voters will remember his choices in the 2020 U.S. Senate election."
 
"Now that this race has ended, may this holiday season of peace, love and hope resonate with everyone, regardless of one's political affiliation."

The Alabama Democratic Party's Nancy Worley issued this statement:

"Tonight, the people of Alabama elected Doug Jones, a man of intelligence and character, to the United States Senate. Doug's hard work, crisscrossing the state for weeks on end, paid off in a great victor for working families and the "kitchen table" issues that voters care about. He will continue to work hard to protect jobs for Alabamians, good schools, affordable health care and justice for everyone in our state"

"This is a great victory for all Alabamians, and a clear signal that Alabama Democrats will be on the offensive and ready to win in 2018."

Doug Jones sent out one final tweet thanking his supporters.

The day after the election, others continued reacting to the news.

Alabama Senator Luther Strange reacted:

"The people of Alabama made their voices heard last night. I respect their decision, and I congratulate Doug Jones on a well-earned victory.

Serving the people of Alabama as a twice-elected Attorney General and now as Senator has been the honor of a lifetime. I am grateful to my friends, Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, for their strong leadership, and I am proud to have worked with the President to put rule-of-law judges on our courts, roll back harmful regulations, and design a plan to give tax relief to Alabama's working families.

As I prepare to leave to leave the Senate, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah."

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