Lee McInnis

Lee McInnis is a retired U.S. Army veteran and Defense Intelligence Community officer and the Democratic nominee for Alabama's 3rd Congressional District. An Alabama native and Auburn University graduate, he served in the Army as an Arabic linguist, worked 28 years in defense intelligence, and later taught at the college level. He has not previously held elected office; his campaign emphasizes health care access in rural Alabama, education, affordability, fair taxes and veterans' care.[1][2][3]

McInnis was born in Birmingham and raised in Homewood, Alabama, and graduated from Homewood High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Auburn University in 1983 and served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1989, where he trained as an Arabic linguist.[1][2] Using the GI Bill, he returned to Auburn and earned a master's degree in 1987, studying communications and international relations.[1]

McInnis then spent a 28-year career in the Defense Intelligence Community, including extended time overseas in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Afghanistan. He describes his work as including service as an intelligence officer and lead instructor, and he reports receiving the Joint Staff Civilian Commendation Medal and the Defense Intelligence Agency's Director Intelligence Medal.[1][2] He retired when his wife's job moved the family to Augusta, Georgia, and took a job teaching at a local college. After she retired, the couple settled in Lee County, where he lives in Opelika, and he returned to Auburn University to earn a master's degree in history in 2024.[1][2]

McInnis announced his candidacy at the Opelika Public Library in late 2025. Ballotpedia lists no prior campaigns or offices for him, and the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary for the seat was canceled.[2][1] He is affiliated with Indivisible Auburn/Opelika, the NAACP (Branch 5038), Auburn United Methodist Church, the National Eagle Scout Association, and the American Legion.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.