Dramatic Rise of Veterans in Midterm Elections: A New Wave of Leadership

A New Wave of Veteran Leadership in the 2026 Midterms

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the political landscape is witnessing a transformative surge in military veteran candidates. According to recent data from With Honor Action, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting principled candidates across party lines, the number of veterans running for Congress has jumped to an impressive 258, marking a significant rise from 213 in 2024. This escalation signifies a broader trend of military service members leveraging their unique experiences and commitments to serve their communities and country once again.

Among these candidates, women veterans are making their voices heard more than ever before. In a notable increase, 38 women veterans are on the ballot, which is a staggering 81% rise from just 21 two years prior. This increase comes from a diverse political spectrum—21 are Democrats, eight are Republicans, and nine identify as independents or from third parties, representing a significant milestone in gender representation within veteran candidates.

This trend first gained momentum during the primaries, where an astounding total of 752 veterans announced their candidacy for Congress—a 47% leap compared to the previous election cycle and the highest figure recorded since With Honor began its tracking in 2018. Out of those advancing to the general election, 227 aim for House seats while 31 are contesting for Senate positions. These veterans include 115 Republicans, 80 Democrats, and 63 independents or third-party candidates. From this cohort, 67 candidates are incumbents seeking reelection—62 in the House and five in the Senate, including 48 Republicans and 19 Democrats. The remaining 191 candidates consist of challengers and those pursuing open seats, standing nearly evenly across party lines with 67 Republicans, 61 Democrats, and 63 independents.

The upsurge in women veterans became particularly evident during the primary elections, where at least 95 women initiated their campaigns in 2026, compared to only 40 in 2024. Currently, women represent 15% of total veteran candidates in the general election, an increase from 10% in the last midterms. The current Congress has confirmed a record nine women veterans serving simultaneously, as reported by Roll Call. However, this number dipped to eight following Mikie Sherrill's transition from Congress to governorship, making her the first woman veteran elected as governor in the history of any U.S. state.

Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor, expressed the shared commitment of these veteran candidates: “Every one of these candidates has already sworn an oath to the Constitution. Now they’re asking voters to let them keep serving. More of them are women, and they come from across the political spectrum. What they share is the habit of putting the mission first. Congress needs more of it.” In his recent book, Courage Can Save US, Barcott highlights ten elected leaders—five from each party, including veterans and one former FBI agent—who have committed to principles of integrity, civility, and courage, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate across party lines for the greater good.

Public sentiment appears to be leaning favorably towards these veteran candidates. Research conducted by With Honor and Gallup indicated that 77% of Americans are inclined to trust a candidate with military experience as an elected official. This trust spans party lines, with 91% of Republicans, 73% of independents, and 70% of Democrats expressing confidence in military veterans’ abilities to serve effectively in governance. This trust is earned through their service, reinforcing Barcott’s assertion that, “Keeping that trust once in office means putting country over party and refusing to treat the other side as the enemy.”

The data regarding the decrease in veterans serving in Congress is equally significant. Today, veterans hold around one in five Congressional seats, a stark contrast to the late 1960s and early 1970s when they comprised nearly three-quarters of the body. Currently, 96 veterans serve in Congress, with Rep. Barry Moore vying for a Senate seat while 28 veterans remain off the ballot due to varying circumstances. Still, as the world watches this political evolution unfold, With Honor Action vows to provide updated statistics on the numbers of veterans elected to the 120th Congress following the midterm elections.

As the nation heads toward these important elections, the rise of such veteran candidates could indeed reshape the future of American politics, fostering a renewed commitment to integrity and a collaborative spirit in Congress. With Honor remains committed to championing these leaders who prioritize service over partisanship, reflecting a profound hope for the future of governance in a polarized climate.