McKee Responds to Latest AL-01 Congressional Poll

A new poll in Alabama’s First Congressional District shows former Green Beret and political newcomer Joshua McKee leading the four-man field. Of likely Republican voters asked who they would vote for if the election were held today, 26% listed McKee as their first choice over former Congressman Jerry Carl (20%), Alabama State Representative Rhett Marques (9%) and businessman Austin Sidwell (3%), with 42% being undecided.

When undecided voters were asked which candidate they were leaning towards, McKee again topped the list with 22%, followed by Carl (18%) and Marquis (10%), with 50% remaining undecided.

These poll results are somewhat surprising, as Carl enjoys significant name recognition from his previous campaigns (he was narrowly defeated two years ago by Barry Moore for the AL-01 seat following redistricting) and Marquis has served in the Alabama House since 2018. McKee, who is running his first campaign for elected office, entered the race with very little name ID. The poll showed a substantial number of responders (77%) did not recognize his name, compared to 45% who stated that they had never heard of Carl.

ALPolitics.com has previously covered McKee’s activities with Project Dynamo, providing relief efforts and evacuation assistance in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa last year. McKee is also a former Green Beret, Bronze Star recipient, brain tumor survivor, and strong supporter of President Trump’s agenda. A Veteran himself, he has made improving care for our Veterans a central figure of his campaign.

We were able to briefly speak with McKee about the poll, its implications for his campaign, and about any issues he particularly wanted to address.

“I think this poll shows that the more people learn about me, the stronger my support is,” McKee said. “I’m going to keep meeting people and talking about the issues, because our message has been working.”

McKee spoke briefly about Social Security, which is a major issue for many in District 1. “I believe Social Security must be protected — full stop. But, real protection means making it sustainable for future generations, and that requires honest reform that could blend the current system with private options. Promises without a plan aren’t protection — they’re politics.”

On Medicaid, a local issue directly affected by decisions in Washington, McKee said, “Medicaid was built for those who truly cannot help themselves, and I will fight to protect it for them. But, expanding a broken system to able-bodied adults isn’t compassion, it’s dependency. Alabama‘s first District deserves work requirements, market based reforms, and the government that empowers people rather than traps them.”

With the Department of Education winding down under President Trump, McKee spoke to an issue that is important across Alabama and the nation — the return of educational control, including school choice, to the States. McKee expressed his strong support for school choice, saying “the money follows the child – not the bureaucracy. Every other sector of the American economy improves through competition, and education is no different. Parents in Alabama’s First District know their children better than any government official ever will. I will make sure that principle is law.”

The poll was conducted by independent pollster Precision Polls from March 26-30, 2026. It surveyed 400 likely Republican voters across AL-01, weighted to reflect the expected 2026 Alabama Republican primary electorate, with a margin of error of +/- 5%.

McKee is a candidate in Alabama’s Republican primary in the First Congressional District on May 19. For more information on Joshua McKee, visit www.mckeeforcongress.com or follow him on social media.