EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL-Turned-Senate Candidate Calls Out ‘Disconnect’ Between Middle America, Washington

Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, the first Republican to announce his candidacy for the Alabama U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, told the Daily Caller in his first national interview he’s running to bridge the gap between Washington and regular Americans.

Hudson launched his campaign Wednesday just one day after Tuberville announced his bid for governor in 2026.

“I have been out of the SEAL teams for almost 11 years now. When I left the SEAL teams I went into full time law enforcement and finished my MBA during that process,” Hudson said.

Alabama deserves a warrior in Washington.

Join the mission: https://t.co/xqTeF8YItL pic.twitter.com/yXPgjzBrjd

— Jared Hudson (@JaredHudson_AL) May 28, 2025

After leaving law enforcement full time he maintained his status as a reserve sheriff’s deputy for the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.

When asked what inspired his run for the U.S. Senate, Hudson said he and his wife spent time in prayer.

He recalled, “I got word from the Lord, ‘Talk to your wife, do what she says,’” and said her response was that she felt it was what God was calling them to do — a conviction that was reaffirmed for Hudson when the Senate seat became available. (RELATED: Senate May Kill The Silver Bullet Meant To Save GOP House Majority)

Since Hudson entered the race, Alabama’s current Attorney General, Steve Marshall, has also joined the contest, officially launching his bid with a campaign video on Thursday.

Morgan Murphy, former national security adviser to Sen. Tuberville, is also likely to run, the Caller reported exclusively this week.

Hudson said he differs from other contenders because he comes from outside politics: “I’m not a career politician like the rest of these guys … it’s almost like they are climbing a ladder, like a step in their career path. That’s not what it is for me.”

Hudson noted his background in the SEAL teams, law enforcement and the work of his nonprofit. “I know what service is, and I would argue that’s what makes me different. I am not here for political ambition; it’s not the next step in my political career because I haven’t had one,” he said.

“It is truly service — service to the people of the state of Alabama and the people of this nation, who deserve a representative to be their leader, to take their issues — in this case, the issues of Alabamians — to Washington, D.C., and not bring the stupidity of Washington, D.C., a lot of times back to the people of Alabama,” he added.

Hudson’s only previous political experience is a 2022 run for Jefferson County Sheriff, but he ultimately fell short against incumbent Mark Pettway.

Hudson said the top three issues he wants to address are fighting the “woke agenda,” supporting veterans and first responders and his understanding of the everyday challenges faced by Americans. He does not have any policy positions listed on his website, but is pitching himself as an “America First,” Trump-aligned candidate.

“For any conservative that’s out there — even if you’re on the left side — I am against forcing people to do things that they believe are completely wrong,” he stated, touting his Christian principles.

Hudson said he was “big” on the military, noting that Alabama has the largest per capita population of veterans in the country. He emphasized his desire to advocate for “veterans and law enforcement officers who truly are serving society, but they are pushed to the wayside when they are out of service or when they do something that the public opinion doesn’t necessarily like.”

He added, “It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held accountable. I think there are a lot of veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders who need a little more grace and mercy and help. I believe, as a U.S. Senator, I can be, one, a representative for them, but two, positively impact them.”

He also drew from his experience as a business owner and nonprofit leader, emphasizing the importance of financial responsibility in government. (RELATED: New Poll Spells More Bad News For GOP Senator In Key 2026 Senate Race)

“The people on the government side … What do they do? They raise taxes whenever they are running out of money. Right. I can’t do that in my house. If we don’t have enough money for groceries, guess what — daddy doesn’t eat tonight.”

When asked how he would balance his support for President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda with representing Alabama constituents who may hold opposing views if elected to the Senate, he pointed to his Christian faith as his guiding principle.

“In this case, being a representative of the people — that’s more important than my own personal ideology. It doesn’t mean I sacrifice what I believe morally — absolutely not. Right? I’m going to hold to the ethics and the morals I hold to,” he said.

He added, “I believe there is something more important than me. I am never going to act like God to you, because I’m not. And I can’t be and never will be. And at a minimum, I will treat you the way I would want to be treated.”

Really glad to see men like Jared jumping into one of the toughest fights on earth. I served with Jared at Team 3. He is a very good man, who loves the Lord and his family. https://t.co/u10gg1QjqS

— Eli Crane (@EliCrane_CEO) May 28, 2025

He said he wants to bring a “servant-centered” style of leadership to the Senate.

“I don’t believe in micromanaging, but I also don’t believe in telling everybody to do something that you, yourself, can’t do.”

“The elected politician, the political leader, and the people on the ground doing the actual work — there is a disconnect in between them. I believe the Trump administration is working to remove that disconnect right now, which is the bureaucracy in the middle,” Hudson stated.

“And I think for me, coming from here — a guy who’s been on the ground — and being able to be in this position, I can help alleviate and remove, through legislative action, through support to the president’s policies he is pushing.” (RELATED: SEN KATIE BRITT: President Trump Has Kept His Promises In His First 100 Days)