Candice Duvieilh: Why I’m the Right Candidate to Represent Alabama’s 5th Congressional District

From the Candice Duvieilh for Congress campaign

North Alabama deserves representation that reflects our lived realities—someone who understands what it’s like to live, work, raise a family, and build a future here. Representation should be of the people, not just for the people.

Our district is home to agribusinesses, engineering firms, aerospace companies, defense contractors, and a range of small businesses. These industries all have one thing in common: they rely on government funding. Whether it’s USDA grants for small farmers or federal contracts for defense and aerospace, we need a representative who understands how policy decisions and government spending shape our economy and our daily lives. I live these challenges every day. I’m a mother to a two-year-old daughter. My husband, a U.S. Army veteran, works as a machinist in the aerospace industry. We’ve experienced the uncertainty of layoffs, the frustration of housing offers declined because we relied on his VA benefits, and the pressure that comes with rising child care and health care costs. We live with the need for a constant Plan B.

I was raised in a working-class home. My father spent more than 50 years doing hard, physical labor chasing the American dream. I grew up with the ups and downs of small business ownership. From those experiences, I learned a foundational truth: the working class deserves not just empathy, but action delivered by someone who understands their struggles and has the skills to address them.

I bring both passion and expertise to the table. Over the past 15 years, I’ve built a career in public service:

● I taught in a Title I school and trained teachers.

● I’ve spent the last six years as a government accounting expert for a major software firm.

● I hold a B.A. in Public Policy, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Education Administration.

This isn’t just a résumé, it’s a toolkit I’ll use to advocate effectively for the people of this district. Because it's not enough to attract industry with incentives and tax breaks if we don’t also invest in the infrastructure, education, and services that make growth sustainable.

We don’t need more ribbon cuttings or empty promises. We need policy shaped by someone who knows how the system works and who’s committed to using that knowledge in service of real people; not special interests.

North Alabama doesn’t need a representative who “knows enough to be dangerous.” We need someone who knows enough to be effective. I have a personal stake in this district’s success and the professional experience to turn that investment into meaningful change for our families, our workers, and our future.

For more information, visit CandiceDuvieilhForCongress.com.