Several military veterans are running for Congress as Democrats in the 2026 midterms, aiming to reshape the narrative around patriotism within the party. Polling indicates a significant gap in feelings of pride in the U.S. between Republicans and Democrats, with 63% of Republicans expressing strong pride compared to 14% of Democrats. Some candidates argue that patriotism is not exclusive to one party and that critiquing the government can stem from a desire to improve the country.
Nancy Lacore, a retired vice admiral running in South Carolina, stated, "I think that's kind of silly to think that patriotism belongs to one particular party." Leela Gray, a retired Army brigadier general in Florida, emphasized trust among service members regardless of political affiliation. In Kansas, State Sen. Patrick Schmidt, a former naval intelligence officer, rejected the notion that Democrats need to reclaim patriotism.
Noah Taylor, a former Army infantryman, noted that questioning the country is a patriotic duty. In New Jersey, Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, openly embraces themes of patriotism in her campaign. Matt Maasdam, a retired Navy SEAL running in Michigan, criticized spending on military actions abroad while domestic needs remain unmet.
The Democratic Party has previously seen success with veteran candidates, as evidenced in the 2018 midterms. However, the strategy has not guaranteed success in all cases, as seen in recent primary losses by veteran candidates in Texas and Kentucky. Political strategist Sawyer Hackett suggested that the recruitment of veteran candidates is partly organic, driven by veterans already engaged with the party encouraging others to run.