Based on the video from FOX54 (WZDX) featuring Democratic U.S. Congress candidate Andrew Sneed, here is a transcription of the interview.
Interviewer: "He’s a father, a husband, and a former teacher. Andrew Sneed is running for Congress, representing Alabama’s 5th District. He joins us tonight in the studio. Andrew, thanks for being here."
Andrew Sneed: "Thank you for having me, I appreciate it."
Interviewer: "Absolutely. First off, why run for Congress? What motivated you to step into this race?"
Andrew Sneed: "Well, I think for a long time, people in North Alabama have felt like they haven’t been heard. I’ve lived here my whole life—born and raised in Huntsville—and I’ve seen the growth, but I’ve also seen people being left behind. As a former educator, I saw firsthand the struggles families face, from the cost of living to the lack of resources in our schools. I’m running because I believe we need a representative who is actually focused on the people here, not just the politics in D.C."
Interviewer: "You mentioned being an educator. How does that experience inform your policy positions, specifically when it comes to education and the economy?"
Andrew Sneed: "It’s everything. When you’re in a classroom, you see the reality of the economy. You see kids coming to school hungry, or parents working three jobs just to make ends meet. My focus is on workforce development—making sure that as Huntsville grows, our local workforce is prepared for those high-tech jobs. But we also have to talk about the basics: affordable housing and healthcare. If people can’t afford to live where they work, the system is broken."
Interviewer: "Alabama’s 5th District is a traditionally conservative stronghold. How do you plan to reach across the aisle and appeal to voters who might not typically vote for a Democrat?"
Andrew Sneed: "I think it comes down to common sense. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, you want your kids to have a good education, you want safe streets, and you want to be able to retire with dignity. I’m not interested in the 'culture wars' that we see taking up so much space in the news. I’m interested in results. I think when people hear that I’m focused on bringing their tax dollars back to North Alabama for infrastructure and jobs, they respond to that, regardless of party."
Interviewer: "What is the number one issue you hear about when you’re out on the campaign trail talking to voters right now?"
Andrew Sneed: "The cost of living, without a doubt. People are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store and at the pump. While the macro-economy might look good on paper to some, the 'kitchen table' economy is where people are hurting. We need to look at ways to lower costs for families, whether that’s through child care tax credits or addressing the skyrocketing costs of insurance here in the state."
Interviewer: "Andrew Sneed, candidate for Alabama’s 5th District. We appreciate you coming in and sharing your vision with us tonight."
Andrew Sneed: "Thank you so much for having me."