Everett Wess
Everett Wess (born 1961) is a Birmingham, Alabama, attorney, managing partner of The Wess Law Firm, P.C., and a former prosecutor for the city of Midfield. He was the Democratic nominee in Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate election and lost the November 3 general election to Republican Barry MooreBarry Moore (Alabama politician)Barry Moore is an American Republican politician and business owner who served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018 and has represented Alabama in the U.S. House since 2021. On November 3, 2026, he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama, succeeding Tommy Tuberville, who ran for governor.Open the full entry.
Contents8 sections
Key facts
1961–2000Birth and Education
Wess was born on July 19, 1961.[1]
He earned an associate degree from Selma University in 1981 and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1985, and later an MBA from the same university. In 2000 he received a J.D. from Birmingham School of Law, where he was a member of the Black Law Student Association and the Sigma Delta Kappa law fraternity.[1][2]
1986–2002Software Industry Work
From 1986 to 1996 Wess worked as a software analyst at NTI and TRW. He was an adjunct professor at Faulkner University from 1996 to 1997, a software and systems consultant at Comsys Inc. from 1996 to 1999, and a software consultant at Banctec Inc. from 1999 to 2002.[3]
He was chairman of the North Alabama chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.[3]
From 2000: Law Practice and Municipal Legal Posts
Since 2000 Wess has been managing partner of The Wess Law Firm, P.C., in Birmingham.[3]
From 2007 to 2012 he was a prosecutor for the city of Midfield. He has also served as a municipal judge for Midfield and a public defender for the city of Irondale, and was appointed a special circuit and district court judge in Jefferson County.[3]
In a 2016 candidate profile he said his practice had covered civil, probate and criminal matters at the trial and appellate levels, that his primary area of practice was criminal law, and that he had represented more than 24 clients in capital murder cases.[1]
2014–2024Campaigns for Local Judgeships
Wess ran for circuit judge, Place 3, in 2014, ran for circuit judge again in 2016, and ran as a Democrat for Jefferson County probate judge, Place 1, in 2018, without winning.[1][2][3]
In 2024 he again ran as a Democrat for Jefferson County probate judge, Place 1.[3]
2026Democratic Senate Nomination
In 2026 one of Alabama’s U.S. Senate seats became open after Tommy TubervilleTommy TubervilleTommy Tuberville (born 1954) is an American Republican politician and former college football coach who led programs including Auburn University’s. He has represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate since 2021 and was elected governor of Alabama in November 2026.Open the full entry announced a run for governor. Wess competed in the Democratic primary against Dakarai Larriett, Kyle Sweetser and Mark Wheeler.[4][5]
On June 16 he defeated small-business owner Larriett in the Democratic runoff to win the nomination. His campaign priorities included building safe communities and raising the federal minimum wage.[4]
October–November 2026: Senate General Election
In the November 3 general election Wess faced Republican Barry Moore and independent Craig Jelks. In his closing argument in late October he said, “Alabama needs a U.S. Senator who will put the people of our state first,” and described himself as someone who would “stand up for Alabama, not simply follow the demands of any president or political leader.”[6]
The Associated Press declared Moore the winner at 11:17 p.m. EST on November 3.[7]
Civic and Party Activities
Wess has been president of the Jefferson County chapter of the Alabama New South Coalition and a member of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee, the Jefferson County Citizens Coalition, the Jefferson County Democratic Conference and the Jefferson County Progressive Democratic Council.[2]
Sources
- Everett W. Wess (D) (opens in a new window)
- Everett W. Wess (opens in a new window)
- Everett Wess (opens in a new window)
- Barry Moore wins Alabama GOP, Everett Wess wins Democratic nominations for U.S. Senate seat (opens in a new window)
- Meet the candidates: Alabama’s race for U.S. Senate (opens in a new window)
- Everett Wess makes closing argument for Democratic Senate bid ahead of midterms (opens in a new window)
- Republican Barry Moore wins election to U.S. Senate from Alabama (opens in a new window)