Veterans in Congress projected to decline, but Dems bringing more first-time vets by 3-to-1 margin over GOP
The share of military veterans in Congress is projected to fall to its lowest level in decades in the incoming 120th Congress, but while overall veteran representation continues a long-term decline, the partisan composition of the freshman class marks a sharp contrast.Democrats are bringing roughly three times as many first-time veteran members as Republicans, and they are catching up among House members overall.Still, as America marks Veterans Day, the numbers show the institutional voice of military service in the legislative branch is heading toward its lowest watermark in modern history.AFTER GOP'S BRUTAL MIDTERMS, ‘CHUCK NORRIS OF FLORIDA POLITICS’ TELLS PARTY TO 'GET UP AND FIGHT'South Carolina Democratic House candidate Nancy Lacore speaks during a canvass kickoff event for South Carolina Democratic candidates on October 31, 2026 in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.Andrews and Democratic Congressional candidate Nancy Lacore will be facing off against challengers Sen.
Darline Graham (R-SC) and Republican Congressional candidate Jenny Costa Honeycutt in the upcoming midterm elections.(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)Analysis from With Honor Action and Military Times indicate veterans will hold roughly 15% of seats when the new Congress convenes in January, down from about 19% in the outgoing body and well below the 27% recorded in 2001 before the war on terror began.
That comes despite a record number of veterans running in 2026, according to the analysis.Going into the past Congress in January 2025, there were just 28 Democrats compared to 72 Republicans, according to Military Times.Among the 79 projected for the 120th Congress, the partisan gap is closing to 33 Democrats and 46 Republicans.In addition the massive Republican midterm losses, at least 11 Democratic veterans are projected to win House seats for the first time.One uncalled race between Rep.
Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and her Democratic challenger, retired Navy Rear Adm...