Who's running in Alabama's 4th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Robert Aderholt currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Funding for rural hospitals and rural health care providers.
Reliable broadband in every community, including for telehealth.
Keeping US Space Command in Huntsville.
Supporting President Trump's agenda and increased defence spending.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Alabama's 4th District since January 1997.
Chairman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; member of the Agriculture and Defense appropriations subcommittees.
Announced a $35 million appropriation for Alabama hospitals, mostly rural, in 2026.
Gave $250,000 to the NRCC in early 2026, according to Alabama Daily News.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with more than 77% over Tommy Barnes; endorsed by President Trump and the NRA.
Arguments in favor
'While rural hospital closures have become an unfortunate reality in many parts of our country, Alabama's Fourth Congressional District has not lost a hospital during my time in Congress.'
— Robert Aderholt, to the Franklin Free Press
His relationship with President Trump delivers for Alabama: Space Command 'is in Huntsville right now because of the way the election went in 2024.'
— Robert Aderholt, to the Franklin Free Press
Arguments against
'We don't need another polished career politician who ignores our communities, takes corporate PAC cash, and breaks every promise once they get to Washington… For thirty years, we've been told to wait our turn while our hospitals close.'
— Amanda Pusczek campaign website
The district's potential — its lakes, rivers and parks — is not being highlighted, and federal cuts have not been targeted carefully enough.
— Tommy Barnes, Republican primary opponent, to 1819 News
What we couldn’t verify
Aderholt's campaign website could not be located.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Protecting rural hospitals and reversing Medicaid and ACA cuts.
Supporting independent farmers against consolidation and monopolies.
Funding public schools.
Improving conditions for federal workers and supporting small businesses.
A fair and humane immigration system.
Refusing corporate PAC money.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Registered nurse; associate degree from Calhoun Community College and bachelor's degree from Western Governors University.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary over Shane Weaver.
Member of the Take Back Congress (BAC) Democratic candidate coalition.
Has not held elected office.
Filed her initial FEC statement of candidacy for the 5th District in April 2025 and switched to the 4th District on August 6, 2025.
Arguments in favor
As a nurse with more than a decade's experience who has 'worked double shifts, cleaned up after disasters, and made a career of caring for people when the system turns its back', she argues health care workers are missing from lawmaking and 'our community deserves leaders who understand healthcare firsthand.'
— Amanda Pusczek, Candidate Connection survey on Ballotpedia
Arguments against
Her campaign pages were inconsistent about which seat she was seeking: she first filed for the 5th District, switched her FEC filing to the 4th, and did not answer questions about the switch.
— 1819 News reporting ('Congressional confusion? Huntsville Democrat candidate's district switch makes it unclear which seat she's running for')
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Pusczek by a named opponent, party committee or outlet could be found after searching, so neither column is filled; her own case is reflected in her positions above.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Alabama held its regular primaries on May 19, 2026 with runoffs on June 16; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality. After the US Supreme Court's April 2026 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, Alabama reinstated its 2023 Legislature-passed congressional map (allowed by the Supreme Court on June 2); special primaries were held only in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th districts, and the 4th District's May results stood. Two candidates are certified for the ballot by the Secretary of State (certifications dated August 26, 2026): Republican incumbent Robert Aderholt, who beat Colbert County Commissioner Tommy Barnes with more than 77%, and Democrat Amanda Pusczek, who beat Shane Weaver. No independent candidates were certified for any Alabama congressional seat. The district covers north and northwest Alabama, including Blount, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Marion, Marshall, Walker and Winston counties and part of Tuscaloosa County; it gave President Trump his highest share of any congressional district in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Alabama ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.