‘We are going to win:’ New Democrat nominee Andrew Sneed on showdown with GOP Rep. Dale Strong
Democratic nominee criticizes Republican rival for not having town halls.
Mason Reed 
The race for Alabama's 5th Congressional District is officially set. Following a decisive victory in Tuesday's Democratic runoff, business owner and plumber Andrew Sneed is turning his focus toward a high-stakes general election showdown against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Dale Strong on Nov. 3.
A Decisive Primary Victory
Sneed secured the Democratic nomination by capturing nearly 80% of the vote, comfortably outpacing educator Candice Duvieihl. While Sneed enjoyed a significant fundraising lead over Duvieihl throughout the runoff—reporting $143,338 in cash on hand as of May 27—he now faces a much steeper financial climb. Rep. Strong, seeking a third term after first winning the seat in 2022, reported over $1.4 million in cash on hand as of his April 29 FEC filing.
Campaigning on Accessibility
Addressing his supporters after his primary win, Sneed framed his nomination as merely the first step in a larger mission. Central to his platform is the campaign theme, Hear Every Voice. Sneed leveled sharp criticism at his opponent, claiming that Strong has failed to host a single town hall meeting in two years.
Sneed characterized his campaign as a voice for those struggling with rising costs, healthcare concerns, and economic instability. "My No. 1 challenge, I told this team all along, is that ya’ll have to know that we are going to win," Sneed told the crowd.
Looking Toward November
As Sneed prepares to challenge a seat held by Republicans since Mo Brooks took office in 2010, he is leaning into his campaign message: Fix the House. Sneed is part of the Take BAC Congress coalition, a nationwide group of more than 100 candidates spanning 38 states.
Sneed remains optimistic that voter sentiment regarding current economic policies and the Republican-controlled Congress could shift the momentum. Meanwhile, Rep. Strong continues to lean on his identity as a staunch supporter of the Trump administration, championing policies enacted since the president's 2024 return to the White House.
