THE STEADY STATE: ENDORSING CANDIDATES IN THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS
For Immediate Release: July 17th 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Steady State, an organization of more than 420 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials–whose careers traditionally required political neutrality–will be announcing endorsements in the upcoming November midterm elections.
“In normal times members of the national security community would stay out of politics,” said Steven Cash, Executive Director of The Steady State. “We are no longer in normal times.”
As the flagship analytical assessment, Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline – Periodic Update, released in June notes, “[Trump] is nearly certain to move beyond pandering to dictators and closer to emulating them—suggesting a wild ride for Americans weary of authoritarian policies in the runup to the midterms.” In the face of this existential threat to American democracy, The Steady State is taking action and will be announcing endorsements for candidates running in the 2026 midterm election. It is not a question of party, but of preserving a system that has worked, if imperfectly, for 250 years.
The Steady State will endorse candidates 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.
“What we are facing with the Trump administration is rising authoritarianism and potential dictatorship,” said Steven Cash. “Currently, proper congressional oversight of the Executive Branch, that is a core pillar of our checks and balances, is not happening and the midterm elections will be crucial to protecting our democracy.”
About The Steady State
The Steady State is an organization of more than 420 former national security professionals committed to defending American democracy from rising authoritarian threats. Its members include former ambassadors and senior State Department officials, senior CIA, Defense officials, FBI and DHS leaders, USAID and NSC staff, and senior congressional staff from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Media Contact:
Name: Meredith Cavan
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Phone: (703) 307-8542
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