WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • At least 57 veterans will serve in the 120th Congress, with unresolved races potentially changing the final total.
  • Veterans are expected to make up roughly 15% of Congress, down from 19% this year and 27% in 2001.
  • At least 21 Democratic veterans and 32 Republican veterans had won House seats as of Thursday.
  • A record 258 veterans appeared on ballots, a 21% increase from 2024, but the larger field did not boost congressional representation.

At least 57 military veterans will serve in the 120th Congress, according to an analysis by Military Times. Several unresolved contests could still change that total, with veterans seeking seats in races that remained too close to call.

Even if every veteran wins in the remaining contests, veterans are expected to account for roughly 15% of Congress. That would be the lowest level since at least the 1970s, down from 19% this year and 27% in 2001.

The decline is especially stark when compared with the 1970s, when almost three quarters of congressional members had served in the military. The incoming class continues a dramatic reduction in veteran representation.

As of Thursday, at least 21 Democratic veterans and 32 Republican veterans had won seats in the House. At least 14 veterans will be new to the chamber, while at least 43 will retain their seats.

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At least 13 veterans will serve in the Senate. Rep. Barry Moore, an Alabama Republican and former Alabama National Guard member, won the state’s open Senate seat, while one Senate contest remained undecided.

By midday Thursday, former Marine and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska trailed former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola by 637 votes with 78% of ballots counted. A Sullivan victory would bring the number of veterans in the Senate to 14.

One notable potential House newcomer was retired Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, who was fired by War Secretary Pete Hegseth last year. Lacore led her South Carolina race by 3,300 votes Thursday, although the Associated Press had not called the contest.

Fred Wellman, a West Point graduate and Army helicopter pilot, scored a surprise upset by unseating Missouri Democratic Rep. Ann Wagner. Wellman told Military Times on Wednesday that serving in Congress would continue his lifetime of service.

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“I know what it’s like to serve, the challenges for our families and for our nation and I’m excited to apply those lessons to Congress,” Wellman said. “I learned at [age] 25 in Desert Storm the decisions we make as leaders can have life and death consequences and I will not forget that as a member of Congress either.”

Navy veteran Elaine Luria will return to Congress after defeating Virginia Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans, the Navy officer who beat her two years ago. Army veteran Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island also will return.

Reed is the current ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is likely to become its chairman. Other veterans returning to the Senate include former Army infantry officer Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Army Reserve veteran Ed Markey of Massachusetts.

If all results are certified, the Senate would include five former Army members, four former Navy personnel, one Air Force veteran and three former Marines. Sullivan’s victory would raise the number of former Marines to four.

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With Honor Action reported that 258 military veterans appeared on ballots in the election, a record number roughly divided into thirds among Democrats, Republicans and independents or third party candidates. That candidate total represented a 21% increase from 2024.

The surge in veteran candidates did not produce a corresponding increase in the number elected to Congress. At least 21 veterans remained in races considered too close to call as of midday Thursday.

Those unresolved contests included incumbents Mike Thompson of California, Elijah Crane of Arizona, Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. Wilson faced Air Force veteran Zyon Khalifa, while Luna competed against retired Army Brig. Gen. Leela Gray.

The Unite for Veterans Coalition said Thursday that it was excited about the incoming Congress. The grassroots advocacy group promotes fair elections and safeguarding military and veterans benefits, and some members of the new Congress have participated in its Veterans Day events.

“We know some really great veterans have been elected, and we’re proud to see our community being represented as they go forward to carry out the role of the American people,” spokesman and retired Marine Lt. Col. Joe Plenzler said Thursday.