Doug Jones certified as winner of Alabama special election

Melissa Brown, Montgomery Advertiser Published 2:19 a.m. ET Dec. 28, 2017 | Updated 2:18 p.m. ET Dec. 28, 2017

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama's next senator will be Democrat Doug Jones as the Alabama State Canvassing Board on Thursday certified the results of the Dec. 12 special election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Jones is expected to be sworn in to his position on Jan. 3.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill were present for the Alabama State Canvassing Board meeting, which reviews and certifies results of state and federal elections.

The certification follows an 11th-hour attempt by former Republican candidate Roy Moore to freeze the Canvassing Board's proceedings. Moore filed a lawsuit Wednesday night, which named Merrill as a defendant and requested a temporary restraining order to stop official certification. A judge struck down the lawsuit shortly before the certification.

Moore, who lost to Jones by around 20,000 voters, has refused to concede the race. He also has continued to solicit contributions from supporters for an "election integrity fund."

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