A record number of military veterans are running for Congress this year, driven by growing participation from Democrats, women, and post-9/11 service members, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan veterans advocacy group With Honor.
The organization identified 752 veterans running for House and Senate seats in the 2026 midterm elections, a 47% increase from 2024 and the highest total since the group began tracking candidates in 2018.
"With both parties emphasizing recruiting veterans in recent cycles, it's really showing this year," said Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor. "And as the country faces significant division and challenges, veterans are hearing that call to service again."
The surge comes as Congress confronts major national security debates, including the U.S.- and Israel-led war against Iran, military operations targeting drug smugglers in the Caribbean, tensions with NATO allies and concerns about the rising cost of living.
A Democrat strategist involved in veterans outreach said the party has intensified efforts to recruit veterans amid those conflicts.
"No one understands the cost of war better than veterans, and so I think you're seeing them get off the sidelines now," the strategist said. Democrat leaders hope veteran candidates can help highlight "the long-term costs of the war with Iran and the uncertainty of future conflicts."
The report found that 294 veterans are running as Democrats, nearly 30% more than during the 2018 midterm cycle. Democrats now account for roughly 39% of all veteran candidates, the highest share since With Honor began its analysis.
Women veterans are also running in unprecedented numbers.
With Honor identified 95 women with military backgrounds seeking congressional office this year, up from 40 in 2024. More than half are Democrats, while 28% are Republicans.
The increase could significantly expand the number of women veterans serving in Congress, where eight currently serve.
Barcott also credited the rise in veteran candidates to the growing visibility of post-9/11 veterans in prominent political positions.
"You look at veterans like [Maryland Gov.] Wes Moore and Vice President JD Vance, [New Jersey Gov.] Mikie Sherrill, that shows folks what you can achieve," he said.
According to the report, about 41% of all veteran candidates served after Sept. 11, 2001, making post-9/11 veterans the largest cohort represented on the campaign trail.
While the number of veteran candidates has reached a record high, that does not guarantee more veterans will ultimately win office.
Veterans currently make up about 18% of Congress, down from a peak of 75% in 1969, but still significantly higher than the roughly 6% of Americans who have served in the military.