The Alabama Republican Party has its eyes on 2018 even after its monumental loss of a U.S. Senate seat.

In a tweet sent Thursday, GOP head Terry Lathan said now that Doug Jones' victory has been certified "it is time to turn toward our 2018," races.

Candidate qualifying begins Jan. 8 and ends Feb. 9.

Alabama's Republican Party stood by Moore even as the Republican National Committee initially cut off its support in the wake of allegations he had sexual contact with teenage girls in the 1970s when he was in his 30s. Moore denies the allegations.

In November, the state's GOP steering committee reiterated its support.

"The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race," Lathan said. "Judge Moore has vehemently denied the allegations made against him. He deserves to be presumed innocent of the accusations unless proven otherwise. He will continue to take his case straight to the people of Alabama."

State officials met today to certify Jones' victory even as Moore filed a last-minute suit alleging voter fraud. The suit was dismissed.