A record 258 military veterans are running for Congress this year, giving voters a sizable field of candidates with service experience. According to With Honor Action, 227 veterans are seeking House seats while another 31 are running for the Senate.

The total marks a 21% increase from 2024, when 213 veterans ran for Congress. It also exceeds the 195 veteran candidates who appeared during the last midterm election in 2022, setting a new record for veteran participation.

The broader primary field was even larger. More than 750 veterans entered primary contests, representing a 47% increase from 2024 and demonstrating the substantial number of former service members who pursued congressional office this election.

Veterans already hold roughly one in five seats in Congress. This year’s record field could add new members from across the political spectrum, including Republicans, Democrats, independents and candidates affiliated with third parties.

With Honor Action supports veteran candidates across the political spectrum. The organization’s chief executive officer is Rye Barcott, a former Marine Corps officer who cofounded the group and highlighted the shared service background connecting the candidates.

“Every one of these candidates has already sworn an oath to the Constitution,” said Barcott in a statement. “Now they’re asking voters to let them keep serving.”

“More of them are women, and they come from across the political spectrum. What they share is the habit of putting the mission first. Congress needs more of it.”

Republicans make up the largest party group within the field, with 115 veteran candidates. Another 80 are Democrats, while 63 are independents or members of third parties, giving the record field a significant presence outside the two major parties.

The number of female veteran candidates also increased from the previous election. Thirty eight women are running this year, up from 21 in 2024, adding another notable element to the expanding veteran field.

Among those 38 women, 21 are Democrats, eight are Republicans and nine are independents. The figures show that the increase in female veteran candidates is spread across party affiliations rather than concentrated entirely within one political camp.

Roughly a quarter of the veteran candidates are incumbents. The remaining field includes 191 veterans running for open seats, putting most of the candidates in contests where no incumbent is seeking to retain the position.

Those 191 open seat candidates are divided nearly evenly across political lines. The group includes 67 Republicans, 61 Democrats and 63 independents or third party members, reflecting the broader political variety found throughout the full candidate field.

Public confidence in candidates with military backgrounds also remains strong, according to survey results released in July by Gallup and With Honor Action. In that survey, 77% of Americans said they trust people with military experience to “perform well as an elected official.”

“Americans trust veterans across party lines because that trust was earned in service,” Barcott said.

The candidate totals place military experience prominently on ballots for both chambers of Congress. Between the 227 House candidates and 31 Senate candidates, voters will encounter veterans across numerous contests and political affiliations during this year’s election.

The record is not limited to a single party, chamber or candidate category. From incumbents to open seat contenders, and from major party nominees to independents and third party members, the 258 veterans form a broad congressional field built around prior military service.