2026 Candidates
The Steady State endorses candidates for Congress, Governor, and other national-security-relevant offices who show a consistent commitment to the rule of law regardless of party, support nonpartisan oversight of the Executive Branch, and understand the security challenges facing the country. Endorsed candidates must also uphold democratic norms — the peaceful transfer of power, rejection of political violence, and defense of civil liberties including a free press and the right to dissent. The Steady State does not endorse candidates who have worked to subvert democratic institutions, discredited the security community without evidence, or promoted disinformation or extremism.
Candidate resources available HERE.
Zach Dembo
KY-06
Zach Dembo is running to represent Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District after a career in military legal service, federal prosecution, and state government. A ninth-generation Kentuckian raised in Lexington, Dembo graduated from Stanford University, and later earned his law degree from the University of Michigan. He served more than four years on active duty as a U.S. Navy JAG officer before joining the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division as a federal prosecutor. He later served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Lexington. With a legal career spanning military service, state government, civil rights enforcement, and federal prosecution, he has a strong profile centered on institutional accountability and the rule of law.
Jessica Killin
CO-05
Jessica Killin is running to represent Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District after a career spanning military service, Capitol Hill leadership, White House service, veterans policy, and public-sector advocacy. A fourth-generation Coloradan raised in Colorado Springs, Killin served in the U.S. Army as a Captain, paratrooper, and Military Police Officer overseas before earning her law degree from Georgetown. In D.C., Killin served as Chief of Staff for members of Congress, and later served in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Second Gentleman. Her profile shows her experience as a senior congressional and White House staff leader with direct experience in institutional governance, veterans policy, executive-branch operations, and military public service.
Johnny Olszewski
MD-02
Johnny Olszewski represents Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, covering much of Baltimore and Carroll counties and portions of Baltimore City. A former public-school teacher, Olszewski holds degrees from Goucher College and George Washington University and a Ph.D. in public policy from UMBC. He served more than nine years in the Maryland House of Delegates and two terms as Baltimore County Executive before being elected to Congress in 2024. Olszewski has built a growing national security and foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Tom Perriello
VA-05
Tom Perriello is running to represent Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District after a career in Congress, diplomacy, conflict prevention, democracy work, and nonprofit leadership. He previously represented Virginia’s Fifth District in Congress and later served in senior diplomatic roles at the State Department, including as U.S. Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and as U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan. His State Department work focused on conflict resolution, humanitarian access, regional security, civilian protection, and democratic transitions. Perriello’s profile brings congressional experience, high-level diplomacy, human rights work, and direct engagement with some of the world’s most difficult security and humanitarian crises.
Chris Backemeyer
NE-01
Chris Backemeyer is running to represent Nebraska’s First Congressional District after a career in diplomacy, sanctions policy, and national-security policymaking. He served in senior State Department and National Security Council roles focused on Iran, sanctions, Middle East diplomacy, and regional security. At the White House, Backemeyer served as NSC Director for Iran, advising senior national-security decision makers on Iran policy. At the State Department, he served in senior roles including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iranian Affairs and helped represent the United States in P5+1 Iran nuclear negotiations, including work as a lead sanctions negotiator. His experience gives him a substantive national-security profile rooted in diplomacy, sanctions implementation, interagency policy, and high-stakes negotiations.
Nancy Lacore
SC-01
Nancy Lacore is running to represent South Carolina’s First Congressional District after a 35-year career in the U.S. Navy. Her service began as a Navy helicopter pilot and culminated in senior command as the 16th Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force. Lacore also held major operational and institutional leadership roles, including Vice Commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet, Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Commandant of Naval District Washington, and commander of Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Her background brings senior military command, overseas operational leadership, Navy Reserve management, and direct national-security experience to her candidacy.
Mark Warner
Senate Virginia
Mark Warner represents Virginia in the United States Senate and has built one of the strongest intelligence-oversight profiles in Congress. Before entering the Senate, Warner worked as a technology and business leader and served as Governor of Virginia. In the Senate, he serves as Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, where his work has focused on intelligence oversight, cybersecurity, counterintelligence, artificial intelligence, and the relationship between national security and democratic accountability. His profile is especially relevant given Virginia’s central role in the intelligence community, defense leadership, and federal national-security workforce.
Carmela Conroy
WA-05
Carmela Conroy is running to represent Washington’s Fifth Congressional District after a 25-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. Her diplomatic service included assignments across Asia, Europe, South Asia, and the Pacific, with work in political affairs, consular operations, public diplomacy, and interagency coordination. Conroy’s national-security background includes service as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Naha, Japan; political advisor to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan, Afghanistan; watch officer in the State Department Operations Center; and political-military affairs work at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Her profile brings direct diplomatic, crisis-management, alliance, and overseas national-security experience to the race.
Jim Himes
CT-04
Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District and has built a senior intelligence-oversight profile through long service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Before Congress, Himes worked in finance and nonprofit leadership and served in local government in Greenwich. In Congress, he serves as Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, where his work centers on oversight of the intelligence community, constitutional limits on intelligence activities, national-security accountability, and protecting intelligence capabilities while ensuring they operate within American law and values.
Derek Tran
CA-45
Derek Tran represents California’s Forty-Fifth Congressional District and currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before being elected to Congress in 2024, he worked as an attorney and served as a small-business owner and community leader in Orange County. In Congress, Tran has focused on issues including national security, veterans, economic opportunity, healthcare, and protecting democratic institutions, bringing his background as a first-generation American and attorney to his work in the House.
Brad Sherman
CA-32
Brad Sherman represents California’s 32nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has served since 1997. A Democrat with a strong focus on foreign policy, consumer protection, and economic issues, Sherman has developed a prominent congressional profile through his work on the House Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. He currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and has been a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy and national security.
Ted Lieu
CA-36
Ted Lieu represents California’s Thirty-Sixth Congressional District and is currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to Congress in 2014, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel after service on active duty and in the Reserves. In Congress, Lieu has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, his military background, and his work on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, civil liberties, oversight, and the rule of law.
Dina Titus
NV-01
Dina Titus is a Democratic congresswoman representing Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, which includes much of the Las Vegas area. She was first elected to the U.S. House in 2008 and returned to Congress in 2012 after serving in the Nevada State Senate from 1989 to 2008, including as Senate Minority Leader. In Congress, she has focused on transportation, foreign affairs, veterans, and environmental protection. She currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
CA-37
Sydney Kamlager-Dove represents California’s 37th Congressional District and comes from a background rooted in public service, state leadership, and advocacy for equity and justice. She previously served in the California State Senate and California State Assembly, where she worked on issues including criminal justice reform, housing, healthcare, and women’s rights. In Congress, Kamlager-Dove has built a foreign policy profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where her work has focused on democracy and governance, U.S.-Africa relations, global human rights, and advancing U.S. engagement with international partners.
Sara Jacobs
CA-51
Sara Jacobs represents California’s Fifty-First Congressional District, which includes much of San Diego and surrounding communities. She worked on conflict prevention, international security, and development issues at the United Nations, UNICEF, the U.S. Department of State, and as a foreign policy advisor before being elected to Congress. In Congress, Jacobs has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee, including as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa and as Founding Co-Chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus.
Fred Wellman
MO-02
Fred Wellman is running to represent Missouri’s Second Congressional District after a career spanning military service, veterans advocacy, and democracy-focused civic engagement. Wellman served more than 22 years in the U.S. Army as an aviator and public affairs officer, including multiple combat tours in Iraq. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, he founded ScoutComms, a communications and advocacy firm. His profile combines senior military leadership, combat aviation, strategic communications, veterans advocacy, and a sustained public commitment to democratic accountability.
Joaquin Castro
TX-20
Joaquin Castro represents Texas’s 20th Congressional District, which includes much of San Antonio and Bexar County. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, while in private practice he served five terms in the Texas Legislature before being elected to Congress in 2012. In Congress, Castro has built a strong national security profile through his service on the profile committees.
Jim Costa
CA-21
Jim Costa represents California’s Twenty-First Congressional District, which includes parts of Fresno and Tulare counties, and has served in Congress since 2005. He worked as a congressional aide and served for 24 years in the California State Legislature before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Costa has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has focused on U.S. support for Ukraine, sanctions on Iran, recognition of the Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Israel relations, and defending democratic principles abroad.
Jimmy Gomez
CA-34
Jimmy Gomez represents California’s Thirty-Fourth Congressional District, one of the country’s most diverse districts, and has served in Congress since 2017. A graduate of UCLA and Harvard Kennedy School, he served in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the Assembly Appropriations Committee, before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Gomez has built a national security profile through his service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, including as Ranking Member on the CIA Subcommittee.
Cory Booker
Senate New Jersey
Cory Booker represents New Jersey in the United States Senate and has served since winning a special election in 2013. He founded a nonprofit providing legal services to low-income families and served on the Newark City Council and as Mayor of Newark before being elected to the Senate. In Congress, Booker has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside his work on democratic governance, economic security, and global human rights.
Bennie G. Thompson
MS-02
Bennie G. Thompson represents Mississippi’s Second Congressional District and was first elected to Congress in a special election in 1993. A graduate of Tougaloo College and Jackson State University, Thompson began his public service locally as Alderman of Bolton, Mayor of Bolton, and Hinds County Supervisor before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. There, Thompson has built a strong national security and homeland security profile through his longtime service on the House Homeland Security Committee, including as Chairman and Ranking Member.
Lou Correa
CA-46
Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District, including Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, and Garden Grove. He worked as a banker, attorney, and real estate broker before serving in the California State Assembly, Orange County Board of Supervisors, and California State Senate. In Congress, Correa has built a strong homeland security profile through his service on the House Homeland Security Committee, where his work has focused on border security, counterterrorism, law enforcement, intelligence, cybersecurity, and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.
Don Davis
NC-01
Born in Snow Hill, NC, Don Davis attended the United States Air Force Academy, and was commissioned into the Air Force where he served in uniform for 8 years. He then was an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at East Carolina University, Mayor of Snow Hill, State Senator for 6 terms and is currently serving his second term in congress, building strong national security background as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.
The Steady State found that Don Davis demonstrates a consistent commitment to the rule of law, supports nonpartisan oversight and accountability of the Executive Branch, exhibits a substantive understanding of the national security challenges facing the country, and upholds the democratic norms and ethical standards of public service that the organization’s criteria require.
André Carson
IN-07
André D. Carson represents Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District and is a longtime public servant from Indianapolis. He previously worked in law enforcement, intelligence, and counterterrorism for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. In Congress, Carson has built a strong national security profile through his service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The Steady State found that André Carson demonstrates a consistent commitment to the rule of law, supports nonpartisan oversight and accountability of the Executive Branch, exhibits a substantive understanding of the national security challenges facing the country, and upholds the democratic norms and ethical standards of public service that the organization’s criteria require.
Jonathan Jackson
IL-01
Jonathan L. Jackson represents Illinois’s First Congressional District and comes from a background rooted in civil rights, public advocacy, and community service. A graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he previously served as national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and worked on civil rights, education, criminal justice, and international human rights issues. In Congress, Jackson has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has included sanctions policy, U.S.-Africa critical minerals cooperation, support for Ukraine, and human rights accountability in U.S. security assistance.
Delia Ramirez
IL-03
Delia C. Ramirez represents Illinois’s Third Congressional District and is the first Latina elected to Congress from Illinois and the Midwest. A graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, she spent nearly two decades in the nonprofit sector working on housing, immigration, good government, and economic justice before serving two terms in the Illinois General Assembly. In Congress, Ramirez has built a homeland security and oversight profile through her service on the House Homeland Security Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she serves as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Brad Schneider
IL-10
Brad Schneider represents Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District and is currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before entering Congress, he spent nearly three decades in business as a strategic advisor and small business owner. In Congress, Schneider has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has focused on strengthening U.S. alliances, countering threats from Russia, China, and Iran, supporting democracy abroad, and advancing U.S. engagement in the Middle East, including as co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus.
Troy Carter
LA-02
Troy A. Carter represents Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, and is a longtime public servant of the state of Louisiana. A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Holy Cross, he served in the Louisiana House, New Orleans City Council, and Louisiana State Senate before being elected to Congress in 2021. In Congress, Carter has built a strong homeland security profile through his service on the House Homeland Security Committee.
Madeleine Dean
PA-04
Madeleine Dean represents Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District and is currently serving her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. A graduate of La Salle University and Delaware Law School, she served as an Abington Township Commissioner and Pennsylvania State Representative before being elected to Congress in 2018. In Congress, Dean has built a foreign policy profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Ami Bera
CA-03
Ami Bera represents California’s Sixth Congressional District and has served in Congress since 2013. He spent two decades as a physician, healthcare administrator, Sacramento County Chief Medical Officer, and clinical professor before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Bera has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, including as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.
Jeff Merkley
Senate Oregon
Jeff Merkley represents Oregon in the United States Senate and is currently serving his third term. He worked on nuclear policy in Washington, D.C., led Portland Area Habitat for Humanity, and served in the Oregon House of Representatives, including as Speaker, before being elected to the Senate in 2008. In Congress, Merkley has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
Jon Ossoff
Senate Georgia
Jon Ossoff represents Georgia in the United States Senate and is currently serving his first term. He previously led an investigative journalism company focused on exposing war crimes, public corruption, human trafficking, and organized crime before being elected to the Senate in 2020. In Congress, Ossoff has built a strong national security and oversight profile through his service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.