Roy Moore Formally Loses Senate Seat To Doug Jones

Results from the highly-anticipated Alabama special election have been formally certified on Thursday.

State officials in Montgomery, Alabama certified Democrat Doug Jones as the winner of the narrow race against embattled Republican Judge Roy Moore. 

Moore, who over the course of the campaign had been accused by numerous women of sexual misconduct, refused to concede to Jones immediately following the stunning upset.

Jones defeated Moore by over 20,000 votes.

The Senator-elect released a statement shortly after the certification saying he was "looking forward to going to work for the people of Alabama in the new year."

Moore filed a lawsuit Wednesday evening in Montgomery Circuit Court. The filing occurred about 14 hours ahead of Thursday's meeting of a state canvassing board to officially declare Jones the winner of the Dec. 12 special election.

Moore's attorney wrote in the lawsuit that he believed there were irregularities and said there should be a fraud investigation and eventually a new election.

"This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone," Moore said in a statement released Wednesday announcing the complaint.

Moore released a statement to supporters after Thursday's certification, doubling down on his claims of election fraud. 

"I've had to fight not only the Democrats but also the Republican Senate Leadership Fund and over $50 million in opposition spending from the Washington establishment. I have stood for the truth about God and the Constitution for the people of Alabama," said Moore.

He added, "I have no regrets. To God be the glory."

Jones will now become the first Democrat elected to the Senate in a quarter century in Alabama and will be officially sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence after lawmakers return from their holiday break on January 3rd.

The Associated Press contributed this report.