The Alabama Democratic Conference has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Andrew Sneed ahead of the June 16 runoff election in Alabama’s 5th Congressional District.
The endorsement comes as Sneed and fellow Democratic candidate Candice Dollar Duvieilh compete for their party’s nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) in November.
The Alabama Democratic Conference, which serves as the Black Caucus of the Alabama Democratic Party, announced it is making a sole endorsement in the runoff.
According to George Hearring, the ADC’s chair for the 5th Congressional District, the organization viewed the runoff as a significant election and determined it was important to back a single candidate.
“Given the congressional runoff in the 5th District, and the incredibly high stakes of this 2026 midterm election, the ADC determined it to be necessary to offer a single endorsement for this consequential runoff election,” Hearring said in a statement. “In light of his vocal commitment to restoring the Voting Rights Act and fighting voter suppression, his deep roots in our community, and the strong campaign he has built, we are proud to offer our endorsement for Andrew Sneed.”
Hearring said the organization believes Sneed gives Democrats their best opportunity to challenge Strong in the general election.
The endorsement follows remarks Sneed recently made outside the U.S. Supreme Court criticizing a court decision related to voting rights and congressional redistricting. Sneed argued the ruling weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act and allowed Alabama to continue using congressional maps that critics have said dilute the voting power of Black voters.
Sneed said he was honored to receive the endorsement.
“I am honored and grateful to receive the sole endorsement of the Alabama Democratic Conference for this runoff election,” Sneed said. “I have great respect for the historic and continuing contributions they have made, educating and advocating, in our state. I do not take their support for granted and intend to work diligently with them to get out the vote June 16th, and again in November.”
Sneed and Duvieilh advanced to the runoff after no candidate received a majority of votes in the Democratic primary held May 19.
According to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, Sneed received 42% of the vote, followed by Duvieilh with 36%. Candidate Jeremy Devito finished with 22%.
The winner of the June 16 runoff will face Strong, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Huntsville and much of North Alabama, has been represented by Republicans since 2009 and is widely considered one of the state’s most reliably Republican districts.
