The leading candidates in the race to fill the Alabama seat in the U.S. Senate vacated earlier this year by Jeff Sessions have joined elected officials across the state in condemning the Saturday violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Violence broke out there Friday night and throughout the day Saturday during protests led by far-right white supremacists and neo-Nazis and counter-protests.

One woman was killed and others injured when an Ohio man drove a car into a crowd at an event protesting the white supremacist gathering Saturday. The driver, 20-year-old far-right protester James Alex Fields Jr., was caught by authorities and charged with multiple crimes connected to the incident, including the second-degree murder of 37-year-old counter-protester and paralegal Heather Heyer of Virginia.

President Donald Trump issued remarks Saturday at one of his properties in Bedminster, N.J.

"We have so many incredible things happening in this country, so when I watch Charlottesville, to me it's very, very sad," he said.

On Twitter, Trump offered his "[c]ondolences to the family of the young woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia" and said that the federal government "will provide whatever assistance is needed."

Many observers and politicians - including some prominent Republicans - criticized Trump Saturday for not specifically condemning white supremacy and neo-Nazism.

The top three candidates in Tuesday's U.S. Senate special election GOP primary all issued statements condemning the violence in Charlottesville. Their remarks, like Trump's, did not call out white nationalists by name, unlike those of some of their Democratic challengers.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks wrote the following on Twitter Saturday evening: "I join @POTUS - we're all Americans first & there's no place for this type of violence. We must stand united and oppose hatred and bigotry."

Roy Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, issued the following statement via Facebook Sunday morning: "The violence and hatred behind the events in Charlottesville is unacceptable and must be stopped. These inexcusable acts will only cause more violence and division in our communities. Now is the time to turn to God and ask Him to change hearts and heal our land. My prayers go out to those innocent victims involved."

And Sen. Luther Strange, the former state attorney general selected by former Gov. Robert Bentley to fill in for Sessions until the special election to replace him, said the following on Facebook Saturday evening: "I am deeply saddened by what I saw in Charlottesville today. The violence and despicable attacks are inexcusable. I stand with President Trump and leaders from both parties condemning these actions and encourage Americans to stand together in opposition to those who encourage hate or promote violence."

Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney and leading candidate in the Democratic primary to fill the Senate seat, issued an in-depth statement via email Saturday night:

"As people of conscience, I believe we have an obligation to work against hate and call [it] out when we see it. We have seen hate the past two days in Charlottesville," he wrote, adding later, "I am personally disappointed that President Trump has not issued a strong condemnation of the white supremacists and neo-Nazis responsible for these events ... This is not who we are as Americans - and I applaud and join the vast majority of both Democrats and Republicans who reject and condemn these actions."

Michael Hansen, an environmentalist running in the Democratic primary, condemned the far-right rally in strong terms Saturday.

"This is downright frightening and should be alarming to every single decent human in this country. White nationalists are marching, emboldened by Trump. Don't let the tiki torches fool you - this is evil on the march. #NotMyAmerica," he wrote on Facebook.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby appeared not to have made a public statement on the events as of 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

But other Alabama politicians did speak out against the violence in Charlottesville.

Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat, issued a statement by email Saturday:

"I am deeply disturbed by the act of terror which was committed Saturday in Charlottesville," she said. "As a nation, our message must be clear: racism, white supremacy, and violence will not be tolerated. I send my prayers to the victims in Charlottesville, their families, and the first responders who are working to keep their community safe."

Rep. Bradley Byrne, a Republican, issued the following statement on Facebook Saturday: "I join President Donald J. Trump and other leaders in strongly condemning the violence and hate we are seeing in Charlottesville. As Americans, we must stand united and make clear our vehement opposition to this type of hatred and bigotry."

Rep. Martha Roby, a Republican said on Facebook Saturday night she is "appalled by the unspeakable bigotry and violence by white supremacists in Charlottesville. This kind of hatred is against our American values and has no place in our great country. I'm thinking about and praying for those hurt by the unnecessary violence today."