--- title: "McInnis vs. Rogers: 2026 Alabama’s 3rd District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-03" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Alabama’s 3rd District race: Lee McInnis (D) vs. Mike Rogers (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Incumbent Republican Representative Mike Rogers faces Democratic challenger Lee McInnis in the general election for Alabama's 3rd Congressional District on November 3, 2026. Rogers advanced from the Republican primary on May 19, 2026, while the Democratic primary was canceled, automatically advancing McInnis. The race hinges on sharp policy contrasts surrounding rural healthcare access, economic relief versus conservative tax cuts, spending reconciliation, and national defense. ## Candidates - **Lee McInnis** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://leemcinnis4alabama.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) - **Mike Rogers** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Alabama%29) ## Issues ### Healthcare Salience: high McInnis favors expanding healthcare access and protecting rural health funding, whereas Rogers voted for federal budget reconciliation legislation that reduces healthcare assistance spending. **Lee McInnis:** Supports universal basic healthcare coverage McInnis views healthcare as a fundamental right and argues that Republican budget cuts threaten Alabama's rural healthcare network. He advocates for federal protection of rural hospitals, nursing homes, and prescription affordability. - Warns GOP cuts will strip $1 trillion from healthcare and endanger 20 rural hospitals and 50-60 nursing homes in Alabama - Estimates 200,000 to 500,000 Alabamians could lose health coverage under proposed federal spending cuts - Focuses on eliminating healthcare deserts, mental health shortages, and underfunded rural emergency medical services > “In the richest country in the world, no one should lack for basic healthcare coverage.” > — Lee McInnis, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) **Mike Rogers:** Supported Medicare drug benefits and reconciliation spending Rogers voted for major budget reconciliation legislation (H.R. 1) that cut federal healthcare and safety net spending, while securing specific district infrastructure funds. Historically, he supported Medicare prescription drug coverage expansions for seniors. - Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) reconciliation bill and fiscal budget resolutions in 2025 - Supported the Medicare Prescription Drug Program to provide drug coverage relief to seniors > “Supporting a good first step toward providing prescription drug coverage through Medicare, Mike Rogers worked hard to provide many of our seniors relief from skyrocketing drug costs through the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Rogers_%28Alabama%29) ### Economy and Taxes Salience: high McInnis advocates making corporations and high earners pay more in taxes to support public programs, while Rogers pledged against tax increases and supported conservative budget cuts. **Lee McInnis:** Supports tax hikes on wealthy and corporations McInnis argues that conservative economic policies burden working families while protecting corporations and the ultra-rich. He advocates raising corporate taxes, opposing broad tariffs, and lifting working class incomes. - Highlights that 17% of Alabama's 3rd Congressional District lives below the poverty line - Opposes tariffs that increase costs on imported car parts, food, and pharmaceuticals while harming local farmers - Proposes requiring corporations and billionaires to pay their fair share to fund public infrastructure and services > “The burden of taxes must be shared evenly across all segments of society. The working and middle classes have been carrying the burden of paying for this country for too long.” > — Lee McInnis, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) **Mike Rogers:** Supports spending cuts and conservative growth policies Rogers signed a pledge against tax increases and supports conservative growth policies focused on spending restraint and deregulation. He voted for federal budget limits and reconciliation measures to boost the national economy. - Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge with Americans for Tax Reform - Voted for H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 - Supports economic policies aligned with President Donald Trump's growth agenda > “Throughout the next two years we must complete what we started under President Trump. We must close our borders, protect the unborn, unleash American energy, and grow our economy!” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) ### Veterans and Defense Salience: medium McInnis focuses on healthcare access and support programs for military veterans, whereas Rogers focuses on expanding defense infrastructure spending as Armed Services Chairman. **Lee McInnis:** Supports robust Veterans Health Care System As a disabled Army veteran and former Defense Intelligence Community official, McInnis emphasizes upholding the federal contract with military veterans by providing comprehensive healthcare. - Calls for a fully funded and robust Veterans Health Care System - Leverages 28 years of Defense Intelligence service to advocate for military families and veterans > “As a disabled veteran, I am passionate about the care we provide those who have served our nation in the armed forces.” > — Lee McInnis, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) **Mike Rogers:** Supports defense spending and local military facilities As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rogers prioritizes military readiness and bringing defense investments to District 3. He successfully directed substantial funding to district military installations like the Anniston Army Depot. - Serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services - Secured over $949 million for Anniston Army Depot in reconciliation spending - Helped secure a $15 million Air Force contract for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind > “I am very grateful for his trust in me to champion and help pass his peace through strength agenda in Washington.” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) ### Education Salience: medium McInnis emphasizes public school funding equality and college affordability, while Rogers supported federal restrictions on transgender participation in female sports programs. **Lee McInnis:** Supports public education and college affordability McInnis opposes private school vouchers and two-tier education systems, advocating for equal public school funding, expanded technical training, and affordable higher education. - Opposes Republican voucher plans that he argues deprive low-income students of quality education - Advocates for free, quality public education in violence-free environments - Calls for revitalizing technical education programs and making college affordable for all > “Every child in the US deserves a free, quality education in an environment free from violence.” > — Lee McInnis, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) **Mike Rogers:** Supports restrictions on transgender athletes in sports Rogers supported federal legislation restricting school athletic participation based on biological sex. In earlier campaign platforms, he also advocated for direct federal funding for local schools. - Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28) - Supported federal funding allocations for local primary and secondary education ### Elections and Government Ethics Salience: medium McInnis prioritizes campaign finance transparency and corporate PAC restrictions, whereas Rogers focuses on federal voter citizenship verification laws. **Lee McInnis:** Supports campaign finance reform and executive oversight McInnis pledges to refuse corporate and foreign PAC contributions, reintroduce the DISCLOSE Act, and restrict big-money influence in elections. He also emphasizes the House's duty to hold the executive branch accountable. - Refuses contributions from corporate PACs and foreign government PACs - Advocates reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act and requiring shareholder consent for corporate campaign contributions - Proposes tax deductions for small campaign contributions to balance large donors > “Since the Citizens United decision was handed down, spending in election campaigns has been out of control.” > — Lee McInnis, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lee_McInnis) **Mike Rogers:** Voted for election voter ID rules Rogers supports stricter voter qualification rules for federal elections, including proof of citizenship. He also voted against certifying 2020 presidential electoral results from two states. - Voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22) - Voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6, 2021 ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: high **Lee McInnis:** No documented position in our sources **Mike Rogers:** Supports strict border controls and enforcement Rogers prioritizes closing the southern border and enforcing strict immigration compliance through federal legislation. He has consistently voted for measures expanding detention mandates, voter eligibility verification, and law enforcement authority. - Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), and SAVE Act (H.R. 22) - Voted for H.R. 875 making driving while impaired grounds for deportation or inadmissibility - Pledged to work alongside President Donald Trump to close U.S. borders > “We must close our borders, protect the unborn, unleash American energy, and grow our economy!” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) ### Energy Salience: low **Lee McInnis:** No documented position in our sources **Mike Rogers:** Supports expanding domestic energy production Rogers advocates for expanding domestic oil, natural gas, and coal production while streamlining environmental permitting to lower consumer energy costs. - Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1 in 118th Congress) - Pledged to 'unleash American energy' in alignment with President Trump's platform > “We must close our borders, protect the unborn, unleash American energy, and grow our economy!” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) ### Abortion Salience: low **Lee McInnis:** No documented position in our sources **Mike Rogers:** Opposes abortion and supports pro-life policies Rogers advocates for anti-abortion protections and aligns with President Donald Trump's pro-life platform. - Pledged to 'protect the unborn' as a core 2026 campaign priority - Endorsed by President Donald Trump > “We must close our borders, protect the unborn, unleash American energy, and grow our economy!” > — Mike Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/al-03-house-election-winner) — AL-03 House Election Winner: Republicans 97.5%, Democrats 0.6% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-AL03-26) — AL-03 House winner?: Mike Rogers 97.4%, Lee McInnis 1.6% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-03)