Veterans' Share of Incoming Congress Falls to About 15%

Military Times counts at least 57 veterans headed to the 120th Congress, plus 20 more in races still too close to call.

Snapshot

Military Times tallies the veterans elected to the 120th Congress and finds that, even counting every close race, they will make up about 15% of members, the lowest share in decades. The outlet notes that a record number of veterans ran this year, yet the number winning did not rise, while a veterans coalition spokesman welcomed their representation.

Key points

• Share: Even if all the close races go to veterans, the share is likely to be about 15%, the lowest since at least the 1970s. It was 19% this year and 27% in 2001.
• House: At least 21 Democratic and 32 Republican veterans have won seats. At least 14 are new to the chamber and 43 are returning.
• Senate: At least 13 veterans will serve, including Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., winning Alabama's open seat. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, was 637 votes behind Mary Peltola, with 78% of ballots tallied.
• Candidates: With Honor Action counted 258 veterans on the ballot, a record and a 21% rise from 2024, yet the number elected did not rise.

Quick take

Joe Plenzler, a spokesman for the Unite for Veterans Coalition, said the group is proud to see the veteran community represented in the new Congress. Military Times notes almost three-quarters of members had served in the 1970s.

Read the full story at Military Times.