The primary stood as a test the power and influence of Trump’s endorsement in a Republican primary. But even with Trump’s help, Strange wasn’t a clear-cut favorite to win. Moore fared better than Strange in most of the available public polling ahead of the vote, with Brooks in a close third place. My colleague Molly Ball recently traveled to Alabama to report on the Republican race.

On the Democratic side, former federal prosecutor Doug Jones started off as the establishment favorite with endorsements from former Vice President Joe Biden and civil rights icon and Democratic Representative John Lewis. Jones made a name for himself prosecuting KKK members for the 1963 bombing of a black church in Birmingham. Some polling ahead of the primary on Tuesday showed him leading the Democratic field. When I spoke to Jones earlier this week, he refused to define himself as either a liberal, moderate or conservative Democrat. He has talked about the importance of “kitchen table” issues like jobs, the economy and healthcare.

The wildcard in the Democratic race, however, was a man that AL.com labeled a “mystery candidate.” Robert Kennedy Jr. is a virtually unknown political entity in the state, but some polls had showed him beating out Jones all the same ahead of the primary. That may be because of his famous last name, though he is not actually related to the Kennedy political family. Kennedy Jr. describes himself, via his website, as a “fiscally responsible Democrat.”

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.