Veteran Candidates Increase Ahead of 2026 Midterm Elections
A total of 258 military veterans are running for Congress in the 2026 midterms, marking a 21% increase from 2024. The number of female veteran candidates has surged by 81%.
On the eve of the 2026 midterm elections, 258 military veterans have secured spots on the ballot for Congress, up from 213 in 2024, according to data from With Honor Action. Of these candidates, 227 are pursuing seats in the House of Representatives, while 31 are running for the Senate.
The political breakdown of these candidates includes 115 Republicans, 80 Democrats, and 63 independents or third-party candidates. This cohort includes 67 incumbents seeking reelection. Notably, the participation of women veterans has seen an 81% increase, with 38 women running compared to 21 two years ago, now accounting for 15% of the total veteran candidate pool.
With Honor Action CEO Rye Barcott emphasized that these candidates represent a broad political spectrum, united by a commitment to bipartisan cooperation. Recent research conducted by the organization in partnership with Gallup indicates that 77% of Americans trust individuals with military experience to perform well in elected office. While the overall percentage of veterans in Congress has declined since the 1970s, the 2026 cycle reflects a significant uptick in military-affiliated individuals seeking federal legislative roles.