A herd of reporters and a candidate on horseback made for a veritable circus today at the Gallant Fire Station, as Roy and Kayla Moore rode in to vote in the U.S. Senate election.



The Moore campaign made known the couple would ride in on horseback at 10 a.m. to vote, and the media made the trip. Dozens of cameras and commentators were onsite, some arriving as early as 4 a.m.



The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate was a bit behind schedule, but rode up on his horse, Sassy, accompanied by his wife, Kayla, riding Sundance. They hitched their horses to a gate outside the fire hall and made their way through a mob of cameras to cast their ballots.



Initially, Moore conveyed, through Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin and Chief Deputy Michael Barton, that he wouldn’t have any comments, then changed course, saying he would make a statement.



“I think they ought to go out and vote their conscience,” Moore said, was his message for Alabama voters. “We’ll have a tremendous turnout.”



The nation was watching the election, he said, along with the rest of the world, noting the international media on the scene.



Questioned about what he would do if he faces an ethics investigation, Moore said he would deal with that after he’s elected.



Kayla Moore mounted up and headed out ahead of her husband.



He cautioned reporters still surrounding him outside the fire hall.



“She’s a polite rider. I’m not,” Moore said. “You get in my way, you’ll get run over, so I’m giving you warning.”



Reporters were not allowed inside the polling place, in accordance with Alabama law, Entrekin said. He said Secretary of State John Merrill’s office sent letters to remind them of the law that bars everyone but election workers, officials, voters and poll watchers within 30 feet of a polling place.



In preparing for the anticipated media interest at Gallant, Entrekin said he had asked the secretary of state’s office if a pool reporter could be allowed inside to get footage to share with the rest of the media.



Speaking before the Moores arrived, Entrekin said Merrill’s office said no.



When a reporter pointed out that a pool reporter was allowed where Doug Jones voted early Tuesday, the sheriff said he would inquire again.



He came back and told the reporter the secretary of state’s office said it would be looking into the allowing of a pool reporter at Jones’ polling place.



Entrekin said the secretary of state’s office had sent letters to both campaigns about the law.