Fifth congressional district poll: Strong 29%, Sanford 7%, Wardynski 6%

A poll commissioned by FarmPAC, the political arm of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), shows Madison County Commission chairman Dale Strong holding a substantial lead in Alabama’s fifth congressional district race.

According to ALFA, the poll was conducted February 2-6 with 600 likely Republican primary voters via live calls. The survey asked participants who they would vote for if the election were held that day. Respondents were also asked who they would likely vote for if they were presently undecided.

Poll results are as follows:

  • Dale Strong — 29.7%
  • Paul Sanford — 7.3%
  • Casey Wardynski — 6%
  • John Roberts — 4.7%
  • Andy Blalock — 4.3%
  • Harrison Wright — 2%
  • Undecided — 46%

ALFA has endorsed Strong’s bid to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), who is seeking election to the U.S. Senate.

In a statement provided to Yellowhammer News, Strong made mention of his campaign’s efforts to take his message across the entirety of the North Alabama district.

“For the last year I have campaigned from Killen to Bridgeport and everyplace in between,” advised Strong. “I am running on my proven record of putting conservative principles in to action to help my family and community. We must do the same in Washington if we are going to save this country.”

Sanford’s campaign responded to the poll by labeling the former state senator as a “leading force” in the congressional race.

“The Sanford campaign isn’t going to place stock into an internal poll conducted by a group that has already endorsed one of the other candidates,” Sanford’s campaign stated. “On the ground, the momentum and numbers suggest that common sense conservative Paul Sanford is a leading force in the field after only a few months in the race, compared to his opponents who have been campaigning for nearly a year.”

“While other candidates are aiming to hide their past, Paul Sanford is proud of his proven conservative track record, and the voters are responding in an overwhelmingly positive fashion,” his campaign added. “We plan to continue working hard to earn the support of North Alabama while the other candidates get caught up in these numbers.”

Chad Niblett, Wardynski’s campaign manager, touted the retired colonel’s prior service in the administration of former President Donald Trump.

“Casey Wardynski is not a career politician, he’s the outsider and the real America First candidate in this race,” proclaimed Niblett. “We’re very pleased with the response we’ve been getting when conservatives learn that Casey served in the Trump administration, fought critical race theory at West Point, and literally helped President Trump build the wall.”

ALFA on Monday released polling it had conducted measuring candidates’ support in Alabama’s U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races.

The primary election will occur on May 24, 2022.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL