# Alabama's 5th congressional district

34°46′39.78″N 86°46′51.62″W﻿ / ﻿34.7777167°N 86.7810056°W﻿ / 34.7777167; -86.7810056
Alabama's 5th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the counties of Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Jackson, and part of Lauderdale. It is currently represented by Republican Dale Strong, a former Madison County Commissioner. Strong was first elected in 2022 following the retirement of Republican incumbent Mo Brooks.

## Character

Two major economic projects have lastingly impacted the 5th district and have indelibly dictated the politics of North Alabama for most of the 20th Century. Before 1933, the Northern Alabama counties were characteristically poor, white and rural. The Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) arrival changed much of that, slowly transforming the demographic towards technical and engineering employees. The second major project was the space and rocketry programs including Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville where the first large U.S. Ballistic missiles were developed. Additionally, NASA built the Marshall Space Flight Center in the Huntsville-Decatur area during the 1960s. In the late 1950s Northern Alabama came to be dominated by the high-tech and engineering industries, a trend which has continued up to the present. In recent years, the United Launch Alliance has located its research center in Decatur. As a result, Huntsville has become the second largest and fastest growing metropolitan area in Alabama.
For a time, the district bucked the increasing Republican trend in Alabama. It was the only district in the state that supported Walter Mondale in 1984, but hasn't supported a Democrat for president since then. Democrats continue to hold most offices at the local level, and continued to hold most of the district's seats in the Alabama state legislature until the Republicans swept nearly all of north Alabama's seats in 2010. In the mid-1990s, it was a seriously contested seat, with longtime Democratic incumbent Bud Cramer winning reelection by only 1,770 votes in 1994. However, Cramer was elected five more times with 70 percent or more of the vote and even ran unopposed in the Democratic landslide year of 2006. Cramer did not seek reelection in 2008. Parker Griffith, a retired oncologist and State Senator, won the open seat in November 2008. However, in December 2009, Griffith became a Republican. Until Griffith's switch, the district had been one of the last in the former Confederacy not to have sent a Republican to the U.S. Congress since Reconstruction. Griffith was ousted in the Republican primary by former Representative Mo Brooks.
George W. Bush won 60% of the vote in this district in 2004. John McCain also carried the 5th district in 2008 with 60.91% of the vote while Barack Obama received 37.99%.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 62% - 36% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 65% - 35% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 64% - 31% |
| 2016 | Senate | Shelby 67% - 33% |
| 2017 | Senate (Spec.) | Moore 49% - 48% |
| 2018 | Governor | Ivey 61% - 39% |
| 2018 | Lt. Governor | Ainsworth 63% - 37% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Marshall 61% - 39% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 63% - 35% |
| 2020 | Senate | Tuberville 60% - 39% |
| 2022 | Senate | Britt 68% - 30% |
| 2022 | Governor | Ivey 69% - 27% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Marshall 69% - 31% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Allen 66% - 30% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 64% - 35% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | Location |
| District created March 4, 1833 ||||||
| John Murphy (Claiborne) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | 23rd | Elected in 1832. Retired. | |
| Francis Strother Lyon (Demopolis) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 | 24th 25th | Elected in 1834. Re-elected in 1836. Retired. | |
| Francis Strother Lyon (Demopolis) | Whig | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 | 24th 25th | Elected in 1834. Re-elected in 1836. Retired. | |
| James Dellet (Claiborne) | Whig | March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 | 26th | Elected in 1838. Redistricted to the at-large district and lost re-election. | |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | 27th | All representatives elected at-large. | |
| George S. Houston (Athens) | Democratic | March 4, 1843 – March 4, 1849 | 28th 29th 30th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1842. Re-elected in 1844. Re-elected in 1846. Retired. | |
| David Hubbard (Kinlock) | Democratic | March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851 | 31st | Elected in 1848. Lost re-election. | |
| George S. Houston (Athens) | Democratic | March 4, 1851 – January 21, 1861 | 32nd 33rd 34th 35th 36th | Elected in 1850. Re-elected in 1852. Re-elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. Re-elected in 1858. Withdrew due to Civil War. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 21, 1861 – July 21, 1868 | 36th 37th 38th 39th 40th | Civil War and Reconstruction | Civil War and Reconstruction |
| John Benton Callis (Huntsville) | Republican | July 21, 1868 – March 3, 1869 | 40th | Elected to finish the vacant term. Retired. | |
| Peter Myndert Dox (Huntsville) | Democratic | March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1873 | 41st 42nd | Elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Retired. | |
| John Henry Caldwell (Jacksonville) | Democratic | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877 | 43rd 44th | Elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Retired. | |
| Robert F. Ligon (Tuskegee) | Democratic | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879 | 45th | Elected in 1876. Lost renomination. | |
| Thomas Williams (Wetumpka) | Democratic | March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1885 | 46th 47th 48th | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Retired. | |
| Thomas William Sadler (Prattville) | Democratic | March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1887 | 49th | Elected in 1884. Lost renomination. | |
| James E. Cobb (Tuskegee) | Democratic | March 4, 1887 – April 21, 1896 | 50th 51st 52nd 53rd 54th | Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Re-elected in 1892. Lost 1894 contested election. | |
| Albert Taylor Goodwyn (Robinson Springs) | Populist | April 21, 1896 – March 3, 1897 | 54th | Won 1894 contested election. Lost re-election. | |
| Willis Brewer (Hayneville) | Democratic | March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1901 | 55th 56th | Elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Lost renomination. | |
| Charles Winston Thompson (Tuskegee) | Democratic | March 4, 1901 – March 20, 1904 | 57th 58th | Elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Died. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 20, 1904 – May 19, 1904 | 58th | | |
| James Thomas Heflin (Lafayette) | Democratic | May 19, 1904 – November 1, 1920 | 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th 66th | Elected to finish Thompson's term. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Retired to run for U.S. senator and resigned when elected. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | November 1, 1920 – December 14, 1920 | 66th | | |
| William B. Bowling (Lafayette) | Democratic | December 14, 1920 – August 16, 1928 | 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th | Elected to finish Heflin's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Resigned to become judge for 5th Alabama Circuit. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 16, 1928 – November 6, 1928 | 70th | | |
| LaFayette L. Patterson (Gadsden) | Democratic | November 6, 1928 – March 3, 1933 | 70th 71st 72nd | Elected to finish Bowling's term. Also elected to the next term the same day in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Lost renomination. | |
| Miles C. Allgood (Gadsden) | Democratic | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | 73rd | Redistricted from the 7th district and re-elected in 1932. Lost renomination. | |
| Joe Starnes (Guntersville) | Democratic | January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1945 | 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th | Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Lost renomination. | |
| Albert Rains (Gadsden) | Democratic | January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1963 | 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the at-large district. | |
| District inactive | District inactive | January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 | 88th | All representatives elected at-large. | |
| Armistead I. Selden Jr. (Greensboro) | Democratic | January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969 | 89th 90th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | |
| Walter Flowers (Tuscaloosa) | Democratic | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1973 | 91st 92nd | Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Redistricted to the 7th district. | |
| Robert E. Jones Jr. (Scottsboro) | Democratic | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1977 | 93rd 94th | Redistricted from the 8th district and re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Retired. | 1973–1983 [data missing] |
| Ronnie Flippo (Florence) | Democratic | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991 | 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st | Elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Retired to run for Governor of Alabama. | 1973–1983 [data missing] |
| Ronnie Flippo (Florence) | Democratic | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991 | 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st | Elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Retired to run for Governor of Alabama. | 1983–1993 [data missing] |
| Robert E. Cramer (Huntsville) | Democratic | January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009 | 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Retired. | 1983–1993 [data missing] |
| Robert E. Cramer (Huntsville) | Democratic | January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009 | 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Retired. | 1993–2003 [data missing] |
| Robert E. Cramer (Huntsville) | Democratic | January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009 | 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Retired. | 2003–2013 |
| Parker Griffith (Huntsville) | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – December 22, 2009 | 111th | Elected in 2008. Switched parties. Lost renomination. | 2003–2013 |
| Parker Griffith (Huntsville) | Republican | December 22, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | 111th | Elected in 2008. Switched parties. Lost renomination. | 2003–2013 |
| Mo Brooks (Huntsville) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023 | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 2003–2013 |
| Mo Brooks (Huntsville) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023 | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 2013–2023 |
| Dale Strong (Huntsville) | Republican | January 3, 2023 – present | 118th 119th | Elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–2025 |
| Dale Strong (Huntsville) | Republican | January 3, 2023 – present | 118th 119th | Elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2025–present |

## Recent election results

These are the results from the previous twelve election cycles in Alabama's 5th district.

### 2002

2002 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Cramer (incumbent) | 142,029 | 73.15 |
| | Republican | Stephen P. Engel | 48,226 | 24.84 |
| | Libertarian | Alan F. Barksdale | 3,772 | 1.94 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 144 | 0.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 194,171 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2004

2004 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Cramer (incumbent) | 200,999 | 72.97 |
| | Republican | Gerald "Gerry" Wallace | 74,145 | 26.92 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 315 | 0.11 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 275,459 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2006

2006 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Cramer (incumbent) | 143,015 | 98.25 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2,540 | 1.75 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 145,555 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2008

2008 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Parker Griffith | 158,324 | 51.52 |
| | Republican | Wayne Parker | 147,314 | 47.94 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 1,644 | 0.54 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 307,282 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2010

2010 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks | 131,109 | 57.89 |
| | Democratic | Steve Raby | 95,192 | 42.03 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 189 | 0.08 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 226,490 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2012

2012 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks (incumbent) | 189,185 | 64.95 |
| | Democratic | Charlie L. Holley | 101,772 | 34.94 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 336 | 0.12 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 291,293 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

2014 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks (incumbent) | 115,338 | 74.42 |
| | Independent | Mark Bray | 39,005 | 25.17 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 631 | 0.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 154,974 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

2016 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks (incumbent) | 205,647 | 66.70 |
| | Democratic | Willie "Will" Boyd, Jr. | 102,234 | 33.16 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 445 | 0.14 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 308,326 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

2018 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks (incumbent) | 159,063 | 61.02 |
| | Democratic | Peter Joffrion | 101,388 | 38.89 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 222 | 0.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 260,673 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

2020 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mo Brooks (incumbent) | 253,094 | 95.81 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 11,066 | 4.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 264,160 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

2022 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale Strong | 142,435 | 67.09 |
| | Democratic | Kathy Warner-Stanton | 62,740 | 29.55 |
| | Libertarian | P. J. Greer | 6,773 | 3.19 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 369 | 0.17 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 212,317 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2024

2024 Alabama's 5th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale Strong (incumbent) | 250,322 | 95.39 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 12,088 | 4.61 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 262,410 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |