Count U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) as a fan of Alabama’s fifth congressional district Republican Party nominee Dale Strong.
Strong, who currently serves as chairman of the Madison County Commission, clinched the GOP nomination Tuesday night as he defeated retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Casey Wardynski for the open North Alabama congressional seat.
During his weekly press call with reporters, Tuberville sang Strong’s praises and asserted that he was the “perfect choice” to represent the Tennessee Valley on Capitol Hill.
“I’ve known Dale for 25 years. He chose to get into politics, working his way up to county commissioner. He’s done an excellent job,” advised Tuberville. “He decided that he wanted to move up and help on the federal level; I’ve visited with him several times about it before he got into the race. I thought he was a perfect choice but sometimes you’ve got to make sure that your family understands what you’re getting into.”
Alabama’s soon-to-be senior senator declared Strong to be a “true American” and expressed his excitement in working with the GOP nominee as the newest member of the Yellowhammer State’s congressional delegation.
“He ran a good race, he worked hard… I talked to him late last night, he’s excited,” noted the senator. “The big thing for him now is that he has to put together a good staff that represents his district and I know he’ll do a good job. I think that Dale is a true American that believes in this country, but he believes in Alabama. He believes in his district.”
Tuberville concluded, “And he’s at the right age where he understands that we have to fight for our country as we speak. We have to fight for our education of our kids, because he’s got young kids that he’s watching things go on that probably have surprised him. So I think he’s a good choice and I look forward to working with him up here in Washington, D.C.”
In what is viewed as nothing more than a formality given the district’s heavy Republican electorate, Strong will face Democratic Party nominee Kathy Warner-Stanton in the November 8 general election for the seat held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville).
Tuberville and Strong hope to become part of a new Republican-controlled legislative majority, as the GOP looks to flip both chambers of Congress.
As President Joe Biden’s approval ratings continue to plummet, Republicans are highly anticipated to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. In the upper chamber, all eyes are on seven battleground states that are widely viewed as seats that are in play for both parties.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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