Overview
- With Honor Action reported in an Oct. 28 dataset that 258 military veterans are on the general-election ballot, including 227 House candidates and 31 Senate candidates.
- The total is up 21% from 2024, with a party split of 115 Republicans, 80 Democrats, and 63 independents or third-party hopefuls.
- Thirty-eight women veterans are running this cycle, up from 21 in 2024, and roughly a quarter of the veteran field are incumbents seeking reelection.
- With Honor Action compiled the figures from FEC filings, candidate databases, campaign materials and news reports and plans a post-election tally of veterans elected to the next Congress.
- The surge followed a large primary pool of more than 750 veteran entrants and could matter for tight races because many veterans are contesting open seats that help determine which party controls each chamber.