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 (R-Ala.) said on Wednesday that he is "relieved" GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore lost the Alabama race and won't be representing the Republican party in Congress.

"Relieved? Yes that's a good word. I'm relieved and I believe a lot of Republicans are relieved that Roy Moore and some of his people aren't the face of the Republican party," he told reporters when asked if he was feeling any relief over Tuesday's election results.

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He added that Moore losing allows the state to avoid someone "radioactive" and "controversial" as their senator.

Democratic candidate Doug Jones beat Moore, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct from women who said he pursued them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. Moore, who has denied any wrongdoing, has refused to concede the race.

Shelby, who did not support Moore, declined to say whose name he wrote in on the ballot instead.

He added that he was "conflicted" as he watched the election results, because Republicans would lose a Senate seat, but is also "proud" of his state.

"I believe they chose principle over politics," he said.