With only a week to go before the Republican primary runoff for Alabama’s open fifth congressional district seat, Madison County Commission chairman Dale Strong and former Huntsville City Schools superintendent Casey Wardynski will face off in a televised debate tonight.
The debate will be shown live on WHDF on Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Speaking to 256 Today, Strong said the debate was a chance for the voters to hear directly from the candidates.
“I chose to do this debate because I believe it is the best chance for voters from across the district to see and hear from both candidates directly and not just through 30-second ads,” Strong said.
He added, “I want people to know more about my background, what I believe and how I will work in Congress to stop Joe Biden and fight for the values and jobs important to the people of North Alabama.”
Strong enters the debate with a firm lead, according to a recent poll by Cygnal. Cygnal said Strong was in a “dominant position” to emerge as the victor in the June 21 runoff election. The poll shows Strong ahead at 45.7% over Wardynski’s 30.6%, with 23.7% of surveyed voters being undecided.
Wardynksi told 256 Today he was looking forward to sharing his message with voters during the debate.
“This is a pivotal time in our nation and for North Alabama,” Wardynski advised. “It’s time to weigh the candidates head to head and send somebody to Congress who not only understands how Washington works, but has the knowledge, experience, and grit to get to work on day one.”
The former assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs also touted Redstone Arsenal as the “backbone of our area.”
“I was the Army’s chief economist, and I served as a principal official in the Pentagon as one of President Trump’s Senate-confirmed appointees. To keep North Alabama great, we need somebody who can continue Redstone’s success. We also must get crippling inflation under control, secure our border, protect life, and put America first. I believe during the debate voters will see I’m the qualified candidate to do all of the above,” Wardynski stated.
The May 24 primary election saw Strong finish with a more than 20-point lead over Wardynski. Strong garnered 44.7% of the vote, trailed by Wardynski with 23% of all votes cast.
Tonight’s debate comes amid a runoff race littered with numerous attack ads. Ads funded by a PAC against Strong were recently requested to be pulled off the air. Meanwhile, Wardynski is speaking out against a report that Huntsville City Schools implemented Critical Race Theory (CRT) while under his leadership.
North Alabama voters will make their decision at the polls for the primary runoff election Tuesday, June 21. Voters can confirm their polling location on the secretary of state’s website.
The winner of the runoff will face computer specialist Kathy Warner-Stanton in November. Warner-Stanton defeated Charlie Thompson for the Democratic nomination for District 5 with more than 57% of the vote.
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