Alabama has a rare open congressional seat in the Fifth Congressional District, where incumbent Mo Brooks is leaving the U.S. House of Representatives to pursue the U.S. Senate. According to the latest filing with the Federal Elections Commission, Madison County Commissioner Dale Strong (R) has raised the most money in the competitive Republican primary race, followed by former Trump administration official Casey Wardynski.
As of March 31, Strong raised $846,903.50, spent $577,218.50, and is left with cash on hand of $269,685.
Strong was born in Monrovia and his family has been in Alabama for generations. He is a graduate of Sparkman High School, has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Athens State University and an EMT license from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Strong was awarded the Medal of Valor for his service during the devastating tornado on Airport Road in Huntsville in November of 1989.
In 2012, Strong was the first Republican elected as Chairman of the Madison County Commission. Madison County has grown tremendously over the past decade and Huntsville is now the largest city in the state of Alabama.
Casey Wardynski is second in funds raised. Through March 31, Wardynski has raised $515,611.34, spent $324,306.65, and reports $191,304.69.
Wardysnki is a retired U.S. Army Colonel. He is a former Superintendent of the Huntsville school system and he served in the Trump Administration as the Assistant Secretary of the Army in charge of manpower.
John Roberts reports having raised $165,595.32, spent $108,189.57, and has $57,405.75 on cash on hand.
Roberts is the former Business Retention & Expansion Director for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce where he recruited billions in investment for greater Madison County. Roberts now serves on the executive team for Free 2 Teach (which provides resources to teachers in Madison County). He also serves on the North Alabama American Red Cross Board, the Huntsville Housing Authority Advisory Committee, and is involved with the Blackburn Institute and the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy.
Former State Sen. Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) has raised $50,588.75, spent $35,995.51, and has $14,702.24 in cash on hand. Sanford is a chef and former restauranteur. He served the people of Madison County in the Alabama Senate.
Andy Blalock has raised $42,893.52, reports expenditures of $39,334.17, and cash on hand of $3,515.85.
Blalock is an educator and coach at a private school, a rancher, and is a horse trainer. He teaches and judges barrel racing.
Harrison Wright reported having raised $811 and cash on hand of $471. Wright is a conservative podcaster and activist.
On the Democratic side, Kathy Warner-Stanton reported having raised $85,150, expenditures of $44,348.36, and cash on hand of $40,552.92. Warner-Stanton has worked as a computer specialist for the federal government.
Charles Thompson reported having raised $34,165.56, expenditures of $32,705.55, and cash on hand of $1,460.01. Thompson is a businessman.
Both major party primaries will be held on May 24.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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