There was enough that didn’t show up the last to in effect keep him out of office! He had 14% registered voter advantage over his opponent! He couldn’t motivate his “advantage” to show up!
When the national party urges everyone to vote against him, when they pull his funding, making him appear guilty in everyone's eyes, when the entire media broadcasting propaganda monster and the entire Washington DC establishment is against you, it can cause an effect on the more wishy washy of your supporters.
And it did. 25,000 write in votes thanks to Richard Shelby, and the loss was by 25,000 votes.
Thanks again Richard Shelby.