Sen. Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold Johnson CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report This week: Supreme Court fight over Ginsburg's seat upends Congress's agenda GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (R-Wis.) responded to GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore's stunning loss to Democrat Doug Jones on Tuesday by referencing allegations that Moore had pursued teenage girls when he was in his 30s.

"Alabamians didn't want somebody who dated 14-year-old girls," Johnson said on Wednesday when a reporter asked him what message the election in Alabama sent.

Reporters went on to ask Johnson if the loss was a lesson for former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon, who has promised to run primary challenges against every GOP senator except for Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzTrump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE (Texas).

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"I hope he pays attention that you need good candidates to win Senate races, yeah," Johnson responded.

Reporter: "What message did the election send last night?"



Sen. Johnson: "Alabamians didn't want somebody who dated 14-year-old girls." pic.twitter.com/tmWDDxIw0G — NBC News (@NBCNews) December 13, 2017

The senator's remarks come after Jones scored an unexpected victory in Alabama, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the state in 25 years.

Bannon, as well as President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE, had come out in support of Moore despite the numerous sexual misconduct allegations against the candidate, which included accusations of sexually touching a 14-year-old when he was 32.

Establishment Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Senate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (Ky.) and Sen. Richard Shelby Richard Craig ShelbySenate GOP eyes early exit Dems discussing government funding bill into February GOP short of votes on Trump's controversial Fed pick MORE (Ala.), had come out against Moore, urging Alabama voters not to vote for him.

Moore's loss is widely seen as a major defeat for Bannon.

The Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with McConnell, blasted Bannon in a statement on Tuesday.

"This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running. Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the United States into his fiasco," the statement said.