Lee
McInnis
Democratic nominee challenging incumbent Mike Rogers for Alabama's 3rd Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Lee McInnis is the 2026 Democratic nominee for U.S. House in Alabama's 3rd Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Mike Rogers in the November 3, 2026 general election. McInnis was born in Birmingham and grew up in Homewood, Alabama, attending Homewood High School and Auburn University, where he earned a master's degree in communications and international relations as well as a Master of Arts in history. [1, 4, 3]
Before entering electoral politics, McInnis served six years in Army Intelligence followed by a 28-year career in the Defense Intelligence Community, including overseas deployments and a role as Acting Director of Intelligence for NATO/USA Special Operations in Afghanistan. After retiring from federal service, he taught communications and American government. [1, 5, 20]
McInnis entered the race in September 2025 and won the Democratic primary to become the party's nominee. [5, 7] He holds no prior elected office; the Alabama Secretary of State's 2026 sample ballot lists him as the Democratic candidate for the seat currently held by Mike Rogers, who has represented Alabama's 3rd District since 2003. [2, 21, 22]
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 3, Alabama
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- leemcinnis4alabama.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 10pollForecast models show Rogers heavily favored over McInnis in AL-03
As of around Oct. 10–11, election-forecast sites showed Republican incumbent Mike Rogers heavily favored. Call the Map listed Rogers at a 99.7% win probability with a projected 38.1-point margin; Seldon listed McInnis below 1%. These are model forecasts, not survey poll results. No nominee-matched poll average was available.
Alabama's 3rd District 2026 Forecast: McInnis vs. Rogers · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 19newsMcInnis discusses rural health care and working-class policy at LaFayette community event
At a community conversation in LaFayette (reported Sept. 22), McInnis highlighted rural ambulance shortages in Chambers County, saying two ambulances cover 420 square miles on the county's west side. He pledged support for universal basic health-care access, the PRO Act, veterans' health-care staffing, congressional stock-trading bans, and campaign-finance limits.
‘Validating your voice by valuing your vote’ — The LaFayette Sun · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 10newsMcInnis addresses Democratic Women of East Alabama on national security
Speaking at a meeting of the Democratic Women of East Alabama (reported Sept. 12), McInnis said national security would be a central campaign issue. He described a changed era of warfare, pledged to scrutinize defense decisions, prioritize veterans' care, and oppose wars the U.S. cannot win. He said he would seek seats on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees if elected.
McInnis focuses on changing era of national security · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- For The Future Victory Fund organizationListed on McInnis campaign endorsement page; no endorsement date given. leemcinnis4alabama.com
- Communication Workers of America (CWA), Locals 3908 and 3909 unionDate of endorsement not given on campaign page; listed on McInnis campaign endorsement page. leemcinnis4alabama.com · Apr 13, 2026
- Alabama New South Alliance (ANSA) organizationANSA held its endorsement convention on April 11, 2026; the campaign page says endorsements were announced April 13. Also reported by the Greene County Democrat. leemcinnis4alabama.com · Apr 13, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $61K
- Spent
- $29K
- Cash on hand
- $9,462
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6AL03199(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Alabama's 3rd District 2026 Forecast: McInnis vs. Rogers(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Lee McInnis for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] ‘Validating your voice by valuing your vote’ — The LaFayette Sun(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [4] McInnis focuses on changing era of national security(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [5] We’re Less Safe Than We Were(opens in a new tab) Sep 7, 2026
- [6] McInnis brings congressional campaign town hall to Opelika - The Observer(opens in a new tab) Aug 25, 2026
- [7] Lee McInnis speaks to county Democratic party(opens in a new tab) Aug 15, 2026
- [8] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Jul 3, 2026
- [9] U.S. congressional candidate Lee McInnis holds open town hall - The Auburn Plainsman(opens in a new tab) Nov 20, 2025