Incumbents, Republicans prevail in Alabama’s congressional elections

Incumbents and Republicans largely held onto seats in Alabama’s congressional delegation, though as in other races Democrats kept some margins closer than previous elections. 

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Madison, was re-elected Tuesday night with 142,080 (53.2%) votes in unofficial returns. Democratic nominee Andrew Sneed received 124,763 (46.7%) votes in unofficial returns.

Strong thanked voters in a social media post on Wednesday.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and represent the Fifth Congressional District. I will continue the work to keep North Alabama the best place to live, work, play, and raise a family,” the statement said.

According to Strong’s campaign website, his priorities included supporting law enforcement and anti-abortion policies and cracking down on immigration.

Sneed thanked supporters in a statement posted to social media Tuesday night.

“My family, my team, and I are so thankful to all of you for the incredible outpouring of support this last year and half. I am so sorry we couldn’t deliver this win for North Alabama,” the statement said.

Sneed campaigned on affordability, opposing school voucher programs and supported a “responsible moratorium on new data center construction in North Alabama.”

In Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, won re-election for his 7th term. Palmer received 149,921 (57.4%) votes to his Democratic opponent Maurice Mercer’s 110,957 (42.5%) votes in unofficial returns.

Palmer said in a statement Wednesday “I will continue to put the people of Alabama’s 6th Congressional District and the conservative values we share at the forefront of every decision I make in Congress.”

According to Palmer’s campaign website, his priorities included protecting Second Amendment rights, economic growth and religious freedom.

In a social media post Wednesday night, Mercer thanked supporters and said that while the results weren’t what he hoped for, he was glad that the Republican margin was reduced.

“His last two challengers received 29% and 15% of the vote, respectively 2024 and 2022, and last night we secured just above 42%, approximately 110,000 votes in a district naysayers said I wouldn’t cross 30%,” the statement said.

Mercer ran on affordability, increasing public safety and improving access to healthcare. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Montgomery, won re-election to Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District with 124,422 (53.7%) votes in unofficial returns defeating Alabama Rep. Rhett Marques who had 107,049 (46.2%) votes in unofficial returns, overcoming a Republican gerrymander.

In Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, Republican nominee former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl defeated Democratic nominee Clyde Jones.

In a short social media post Tuesday night, Carl said he “look(s) forward to doing great things for each one of you in Washington DC.”

According to election data, Carl received 137,000 (59%) votes to Jones’ 94,900 (41%) votes in unofficial returns. Carl campaigned improving the business environment in Mobile and Baldwin Counties and affordability.

Jones congratulated Carl for his win in a statement Wednesday night but said the work isn’t over yet.

“It will be up to all of us to ensure that Mr. Carl works on our behalf for the next two years,” the statement said. “It will be up to us to ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear as they were on the campaign trail.”

Jones ran on improving access to healthcare, immigration reform and supporting veterans.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, also won re-election to Alabama’s 7th Congressional District defeating Republican nominee Ammie Akin. Election data shows Sewell received 174,823 (69.4%) votes and Akin received 77,085 (30.6%) votes in unofficial returns.

Sewell said in a social media post Wednesday “I am so grateful to the amazing people of AL-07 for entrusting me to represent them in Congress.”

Sewell campaigned on affordability, protecting voting rights and protecting public schools.

Akin said in a statement posted on social media Tuesday night “the campaign may be over, but the work that brought me into this race is far from finished.”

“For nearly 25 years, I’ve dedicated my life to serving families, strengthening communities, and helping people overcome barriers. That commitment was never dependent on an election, and it certainly doesn’t end with one,” the statement said. “I’m taking everything I’ve learned, every relationship I’ve built, and every story I’ve heard into whatever comes next.”

Akin ran on strengthening education, creating safe communities and affordability.

In Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, won re-election for his 16th term in office. Unofficial election results show Aderholt received 160,008 (74.8%) votes, the most of any Republican candidate running for Congress. His opponent Amanda Pusczek received 53,633 (25.1%) votes in unofficial returns.

Aderholt thanked voters in a statement on social media Tuesday night for the high number of votes.

“That is an incredible testament to the people of Alabama’s Fourth District, and I am humbled by your continued support. I look forward to continuing to work every day to deliver results for our district and the people I am privileged to represent,” the statement said.

Aderholt ran on expanding economic opportunities, “standing up against the liberal agenda,” and supporting anti-abortion policies. 

Pusczek said in a statement posted to social media Tuesday night “while the outcome tonight wasn’t what we hoped for, the movement we built together across North Alabama does not end here.” She ran on addressing gun violence, expanding ballot access and helping rural hospitals in Alabama.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, won re-election to Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District with 141,800 (63.9%) votes in unofficial returns. His opponent Lee McInnis received 79,926 (36.%) votes in unofficial returns.

Rogers thanked voters in a short social media post Tuesday night.

“Thank you #AL03! Honored to be reelected as your representative in Congress,” the post said.

Rogers told the Alabama Reflector in a statement last month his priorities were “lifting up our communities and advancing conservative policies.”

McInnis said in a statement Wednesday morning “those of you who know me know I’m already looking at the data to see what we need to do to set the stage for the next round.”

McInnis ran on access to healthcare and affordability.

In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, defeated Democratic nominee Everett Wess. Unofficial election results show Moore received 917,860 (54.7%) votes and Wess received 758,465 (45.2%) votes.

Moore thanked voters in a statement Wednesday afteroon.

“As our team and I prepare to enter the U.S. Senate in January, we are thankful for your prayers and encouragement,” the statement said. “We are committed to working for all of our state with the same focus and dedication we’ve had in serving South Alabama, and we look forward to making you proud.”

Moore’s priorities included protecting Second Amendment rights, supporting law enforcement and “stand(ing) with President Trump).

Wess said in a video statement on social media that “this is not the end.”

“We need to continue to register voters, we need to continue to activate voters, we need to go into some of the smaller counties, in my opinion, and let the people know that we are Americans, we are people, we are human, we want what’s best for Alabama,” the video said.

Wess campaigned on creating safe communities, affordable healthcare and protecting citizen rights.