Veterans Running for Congress

A total of 172 veterans won primaries this year and will appear on midterm ballots across the country. Their military service spans from the 1950s to today, and includes time spent in the active-duty ranks, reserves and the Coast Guard. On election night, Military Times will track the status of each veteran’s race across the country and update the results here. Readers can sort the candidates by clicking on the column headers at the Military Times graph, or search for specific names using the search bar.

Here are a few key incumbent veterans to watch on election night:

Rep. Mike Coffman, Republican, Colorado 6th

Coffman, an Iraq War veteran who served in both the Army and Marine Corps, is often among the most endangered incumbents each election year. His suburban Colorado district is a top target for Democrats hoping to take a majority in the House, and recent polls have cast doubt on whether he will win a sixth term.

Coffman is a fixture on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the head of personnel policy for the House Armed Services Committee. If he can retain the seat, he’ll continue to grow as an influential voice on veterans and defense issues for the party. If he can’t, it will be a big boost to Democrats’ political goals.


Rep. Duncan Hunter, Republican, California 50th

Hunter, one of the most outspoken veterans in Congress, was indicted in August on charges he allegedly used more than $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for a host of personal expenses. Hunter has called the allegations a political attack by operatives within the Department of Justice.

The indictment hasn’t seemed to seriously endanger his re-election campaign so far — he leads in local polling — but has forced the Marine Corps veteran to step down from his seat on the House Armed Services Committee as the investigation continues. If he wins in November, the lingering legal problems still could affect how much influence he has in the next Congress.


Sen. Bill Nelson, Democrat, Florida, US Senate

Nelson, an Army veteran who has served in the Senate for 18 years, is squaring off against Navy veteran and Florida Gov. Rick Scott in a race that could determine whether Democrats can gain control of the Senate. Current polls show Nelson with a slim lead, but a loss by him all but guarantees Republicans will keep the majority in the Senate.

Defense issues have largely taken a back seat to local priorities in the campaign. Nelson serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Scott has been frequently seen on the campaign trail sporting a Navy ballcap to further emphasize his service.


Rep. Scott Taylor, Republican, Virginia 2nd

Taylor, who served in Iraq as a Navy SEAL, is in a tight race with Democratic challenger and fellow Navy veteran Elaine Luria. The district is one that Republicans will have to hold on to if they have any chance of retaining a majority in the House.

The Norfolk-area district has a large veterans population, so military and post-military policies have played a role in the campaign. Recent polls have given Taylor an edge, but Democratic backers have targeted the race for an infusion of late campaign cash.


Rep. Connor Lamb, Democrat, Pennsylvania 17th

Lamb, a Marine Corps legal officer who is still serving in the reserves, scored a slim victory in a special election in March despite expectations that the Republican-leaning district would favor his opponent. Because of redistricting ordered by the state Supreme Court, he now faces a contest against incumbent GOP Rep. Keith Rothfus.

But national Republican Party leaders have begun withdrawing financial support from Rothfus in recent weeks, a signal that they may consider the contest already safely in Democratic hands.

A quick look at the political scoreboard on Military Times showed that out of 172 veterans running for congress there were 63 Democrats and 113 Republicans, with one Independent. 76 were combat vets. This country could certainly use more veterans in Congress. They know how to operate on a budget, sometimes without any funding but making things happen. These Veterans know what it is like to serve your country and not yourselves or a special interest group. And you won't likely be getting anyone from this group advocating kneeling for the National Anthem - most will likely support the right of never-do-wells to kneel, but wouldn't advocate doing so, or kneel themselves - it's called respect for a cause bigger than yourself and especially respect to those who gave all. God Bless this Nation.