Dale Strong

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, in his reelection bid against business owner Andrew Sneed in the 5th Congressional District.

“Congressman Strong has been a champion for business, fighting for common sense pro-business solutions that will help our economy grow and create jobs and strengthen communities across this district,” U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President and Managing Director of Regional Governmental Affairs Moore Hallmark said.

He said the chamber looked forward to continuing working with Strong in Congress.

Strong said it was an honor to have the organization’s endorsement.

“We are pro-business and look at what that has led to in north Alabama,” Strong said. “Our economy continues to thrive, our communities continue to thrive, and capitalism is alive and well here in north Alabama. We still have work to do and that’s exactly what I hope to do in another term in Washington.”

Strong is seeking his third term since being elected in 2022. He told AL.com in an earlier interview he did not know who Sneed was, referring him to “the other guy.”

Sneed responded on Facebook.

“You know the other guy you say you don’t know?” Sneed wrote. “I’m the guy who that’s outraised you twice during this campaign and has been going all over the district meeting with all of the folks in the 5th District you won’t.”

Sneed has challenged Strong to appear with him in a series of town halls. But Strong has declined.

“I’ve had telephone town halls with as many as 21,000 (people) on them last week,” Strong said in response while speaking to the media following his Washington update on Monday at the Von Braun Center.

“It works for the people I represent,” he said. “I’m going to continue to do what I do and let the other people do what they do. I’m about as successful as any United States congressman has ever been with a three-vote majority. I’m required to be in D.C. for the votes, and I will always represent the 5th District with my voting. And I think the people who have supported me appreciate the way I do business.”

Strong said, “we’re growing the economy, our jobs are solid.”

“We’re solving problems with drinking water,” he added. “We’re solving problems with sewer. And the list goes on. And we’re working on transportation, public safety, law enforcement and I’ll vote every time to fund Customs and Border Patrol, ICE, because they are carrying out the laws of the land.”

Strong has not announced in public campaign events. Sneed has the following townhalls scheduled:

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Athens, Athens State University McCandless, Hall, moderator TBA

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Huntsville, Bob Harrison Center, moderator Kenny Anderson.

Strong has a large fundraising advantage over Sneed in their general election contest.

Strong reported to the Federal Election Commission that he had $1,424,334 cash on hand on June 30 compared to Sneed’s $169,719. But Sneed has outraised Strong during two quarters of the current election cycle.