Progressive Congress
Supporting progressive candidates who fight for healthcare, climate action, and economic justice across America.
Why This Website?
Why do we need another website listing progressive politicians? This one is a bit different — it's trying to collect the wisdom of the many progressive organizations out there and help highlight the best candidates we have for 2026. We hope you'll learn a bit about the many women and men putting themselves on the line to take the first steps to fix our broken USA.
What is a Progressive Candidate?
People who are truly progressive generally stick to most of these principles. While the MAGAs and even the corporate-controlled Democrats will paint these as being "radical left", the reality is the most Democrats, and most Americans overall, agree with them!
While we'd hope that the candidates here would agree with all of these principles, we can't guarantee that. But remember — on election day, ultimately it comes down to who is the best candidate actually running of the choices you have, not who is the perfect candidate.
Progressive Principles are Mainstream
A candidate might call him/herself "progressive" while taking money from corporations and AIPAC, so judge candidates by what they do and who funds them, not just what they say. And we need more than just pushing back against Trump and MAGA — progressive principles demand action, not reaction. For instance, while we can appreciate Gavin Newsom's trolling of Trump Tweets, and Cory Booker's filibuster, those people do not actually hold progressive principles.
The Organizations We're Tracking
U.S. Senator and presidential candidate who personally endorses progressive congressional candidates.
Grassroots movement working to hold corrupt officials accountable and elect representatives committed to democracy.
Recruits and supports progressive candidates who reject corporate PAC money and champion bold economic and social policies.
Jewish Voice for Peace Action supports candidates fighting for Palestinian freedom and against U.S. militarism.
Builds progressive political power by recruiting and supporting young leaders of color to run for office.
Field organizing program supporting progressive candidates through door-to-door canvassing and voter contact.
Grassroots organization founded after Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign to elect progressive candidates at all levels of government.
Nation's largest peace network endorsing candidates committed to diplomacy, nuclear disarmament, and ending endless wars.
Progressive Democrats of America advocates for peace, economic justice, and healthcare as a human right.
Youth-led movement fighting for climate action and Green New Deal policies through electoral organizing.
Tracks and opposes AIPAC's influence in congressional elections, supporting candidates who prioritize Palestinian human rights.
National party building working-class political power through grassroots organizing and endorsing progressive candidates.
Provides letter grades rating congressional incumbents on their financial integrity and resistance to corruption.
Coming soon - Democratic Socialists of America, the largest socialist organization in the US, endorsing candidates committed to democratic socialism.
Coming soon - grassroots movement building progressive power through local organizing.
Coming soon - progressive advocacy organization mobilizing millions around key issues and elections.
Top Endorsed Candidates
Candidates with the most endorsements, not including incumbents. These are the movers and shakers — and for some, their elections are coming soon! Send them some love!
Robert Peters
IL-02, Illinois
Open Seat
Illinois State Senator since 2019, Labor Committee chair; community organizer; born deaf, adopted, raised on South Side; led cash bail elimination, minimum wage increases; Medicare for All, criminal justice reform.
Nida Allam
NC-04, North Carolina
Incumbent: Valerie Foushee (D) C+
Durham County Commissioner since 2020, Vice Chair; first Muslim woman elected in NC; daughter of Indian/Pakistani immigrants; NC State grad; former Bernie 2016 political director, State Innovation Exchange NC director; Medicare for All, anti-war, reproductive justice.
Donavan McKinney
MI-13, Michigan
Incumbent: Shri Thanedar (D) F
Detroit native, Michigan State Rep since 2025; UMich graduate, first in family with college degree; former SEIU Healthcare Michigan political director, State House legislative director; fighting for working families, economic justice.
Graham Platner
Senate, Maine
Blue Hill native; Marine veteran with 3 Iraq tours, Army National Guard Afghanistan tour; GWU grad; worked as bartender, State Dept defense contractor; economic populist; fighting billionaire oligarchy, Maine affordability crisis.
Cori Bush
MO-01, Missouri
Incumbent: Wesley Bell (D)
St. Louis native; registered nurse, pastor, Ferguson racial justice activist after Michael Brown killing; former Squad member, US House 2021-2025.
Dylan Blaha
IL-13, Illinois
Incumbent: Nikki Budzinski (D) D+
32-year-old; B.S. Molecular/Cellular Biology, M.S. Biochemistry UIUC; former cancer immunology researcher; Illinois Army National Guard 12+ years, combat medic/medical planner, deployed Afghanistan 2019-2020, 3 years Germany supporting Ukraine/NATO; Medicare for All, climate action, worker rights, refuses corporate donations.
Melat Kiros
CO-01, Colorado
Incumbent: Diana DeGette (D) D-
Immigrant from Tigray, Ethiopia; attorney; Washington College BA 2018, Notre Dame JD 2022; fired from NYC law firm for defending Palestinian student protesters; Medicare for All, housing-first homelessness approach, universal childcare, arms embargo on Israel, rejects corporate PACs.
Junaid Ahmed
IL-08, Illinois
Open Seat
Immigrant who arrived as teenager; DePaul CS degree, UChicago MBA; IT consulting 2007-2021; founded technology company employing 20; co-founded Chi-Care (delivered 1M+ meals to unhoused); Medicare for All, free public college, Green New Deal, refuses corporate donations.
Kat Abughazaleh
IL-09, Illinois
Open Seat
26-year-old journalist; Dallas native; GWU International Affairs BA, Security Policy concentration; monitored Fox News 2020-2024 for Media Matters, created explainer videos on right-wing misinfo; deposed by Elon Musk's legal team; fighting fascism, Medicare for All with dental/vision, $25 minimum wage, reproductive rights, Green New Deal; rejects corporate PACs.
Mai Vang
CA-07, California
Incumbent: Doris Matsui (D) F
Daughter of Hmong refugees, MPH degree; Sacramento City Councilmember District 8 since 2020; housing affordability, healthcare expansion, student debt forgiveness, living wages, stronger unions, immigration reform, rejects corporate PACs.
Randy Villegas
CA-22, California
Incumbent: David Valadao (R) F
Central Valley native, son of immigrants; Ph.D.; community college professor Tulare/Kings counties; former Visalia Unified School Board trustee; Medicare for All with dental/vision, fighting corporate monopolies, raising minimum wage, ending corporate home ownership, tuition-free college, path to citizenship, banning congressional stock trading.
Loren Colin
CA-34, California
Incumbent: Jimmy Gomez (D) C-
Independent candidate (no party preference); running on Five Guarantees: living wage for full-time work enabling home/food/clothing purchase, universal healthcare, universal education, common defense, freedom from government interference in personal life.
The Full List
This lists the progressive candidates we have found so far from other endorsements (plus a few others we've run across that deserve a look). Know of any candidates you think should be here? Let us know — or better yet, get in touch with the organizations you think might want to endorse them!
Openings
Many senators and representatives are retiring from their seats. Know of any progressive candidates stepping up to fill their shoes? Maybe that's you! Note: The "notes" for each district are AI-generated and unverified. If you are familiar with this district and wish to help update the status, please contact us.
| State | Primary Date | District/Senate | Incumbent/Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2026-05-19 | AL-01 | Barry Moore D (Running for Senate) | Democratic activity is limited. Likely contenders include Tom Holmes (Mobile attorney and prior nominee) and local activists with past ballot experience. Holmes has the clearest fundraising and name-recognition advantage among Democrats, though resources are expected to be modest. |
| Alabama | 2026-05-19 | Senate | Tommy Tuberville (Running for Governor) | Democratic contenders are limited; potential candidates include Will Boyd (businessman and prior nominee) and Chris England (former state legislator). Boyd has the clearest prior fundraising base, though statewide Democratic resources remain constrained. |
| Arizona | 2026-08-04 | AZ-01 | David Schweikert D- (Running for Governor) | Democrats positioning to run include Amish Shah (former state representative and 2024 nominee) and other Phoenix-area Democrats. Shah enters with the clearest fundraising history and district familiarity from recent campaigns. |
| Arizona | 2026-08-04 | AZ-05 | Andy Biggs B (Running for Governor) | Democrats considering this safely Republican Phoenix-area seat include Juan Parra (Phoenix councilmember) and regional party activists; filings and FEC figures are early and no clear fundraising leader has emerged. |
| Florida | 2026-08-18 | FL-19 | Byron Donalds F (Running for Governor) | Democratic entrants are minimal so far: Howard Sapp (retired air traffic controller and local nominee) and Jared Martin Kane have filed; Sapp leads early fundraising though with modest totals. No special election; primary is part of the regular 2026 cycle with the Democratic field undeveloped. |
| Florida | 2026-08-18 | Senate | Marco Rubio (Resigned to serve as secretary of state) | A special election will be held November 3, 2026 to fill the remainder of the term. Democratic candidates include Val Demings (former U.S. representative), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (former U.S. representative), and Lauren Book (state senator). Demings remains the strongest fundraiser and best-known Democrat. |
| Georgia | 2026-05-19 | GA-01 | Earl "Buddy" Carter F (Running for Senate) | Democratic candidates include Wade Herring (former nominee and attorney) and Joyce Griggs (former county commissioner). Herring retains the strongest fundraising network from prior runs, while Griggs has deeper local government ties. |
| Georgia | 2026-05-19 | GA-10 | Mike Collins B- (Running for Senate) | Democrats expected to compete include Lexy Doherty (2024 nominee and nonprofit executive) and other Athens-area Democrats. Doherty has the strongest recent fundraising base and national small-dollar support, positioning her as the early Democratic front-runner. |
| Illinois | 2026-03-17 | IL-04 | Jesus Garcia C+ (Retiring) | Candidate filings and coverage are still emerging, but likely Democratic contenders include local officials and community leaders. Because IL-04 leans Democratic, the primary will be decisive; watch for filings from alderpersons, state legislators, or nonprofit leaders in Chicago. (Detailed open candidate lists not yet widely published.) |
| Illinois | 2026-03-17 | Senate | Dick Durbin D- (Retiring) | The Democratic field includes Raja Krishnamoorthi (U.S. representative), Robin Kelly (U.S. representative), Lauren Underwood (U.S. representative), and Juliana Stratton (lieutenant governor). Krishnamoorthi and Underwood are the strongest fundraisers; Stratton has establishment and labor support. |
| Iowa | 2026-06-02 | IA-02 | Ashley Hinson F (Running for Senate) | Democrats preparing to contest this eastern Iowa seat include Sarah Trone Garriott (state senator, Cedar Rapids–area), Travis Terrell (2024 nominee), and other Linn and Johnson County Democrats. Trone Garriott has the strongest early fundraising capacity and institutional support; the primary field may narrow quickly if she consolidates endorsements. |
| Iowa | 2026-06-02 | IA-04 | Randy Feenstra F (Running for Governor) | Democrats expected to run include Ryan Melton (2022/2024 nominee) and northwest Iowa local officials. Melton is the clear Democratic fundraising and name-recognition leader. |
| Iowa | 2026-06-02 | Senate | Joni Ernst (Retiring) | Democratic candidates include Zach Wahls (state senator, strong national donor network), Sarah Trone Garriott (state senator), and Nathan Sage (veteran and nonprofit leader). Wahls is the clear early fundraising leader with national progressive backing; Trone Garriott has strong in-state institutional support. |
| Kentucky | 2026-05-19 | KY-06 | Andy Barr F (Running for Senate) | Democrats likely to contest the Lexington-area seat include Geoff Young (prior nominee) and local Fayette County officials. Young has the clearest prior fundraising footprint, though the field remains unsettled. |
| Maine | 2026-06-09 | ME-02 | Jared Golden B+ (Retiring) | Democratic candidates have begun to emerge in news and FEC filings; top names with activity include local and state leaders positioning for the primary. This district is competitive and Democrats will aim to nominate a strong contender. (Specific fundraising leader lists are still developing.) |
| Massachusetts | 2026-09-01 | MA-06 | Seth Moulton F (Running for Senate) | Potential Democratic successors include Kathleen LaNatra (state representative), Tricia Farley-Bouvier (state representative), and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. No dominant fundraising leader has emerged yet, though LaNatra is considered an early favorite among party insiders. |
| Michigan | 2026-08-04 | MI-10 | John James F (Running for Governor) | Democratic contenders include Carl Marlinga (former county prosecutor and prior nominee) and Emily Busch (attorney and 2024 candidate). Marlinga maintains the strongest donor network and institutional backing. |
| Michigan | 2026-08-04 | Senate | Gary Peters (Retiring) | Democrats positioning to run include Haley Stevens (U.S. representative), Elissa Slotkin (former U.S. representative), and Mallory McMorrow (state senate president pro tempore). Slotkin and Stevens are the strongest fundraisers, with Slotkin widely seen as the early front-runner if she enters. |
| Minnesota | 2026-08-11 | MN-02 | Angie Craig D- (Running for Senate) | Democratic contenders include Jeff Ettinger (former Hormel CEO and 2022 nominee), Liz Reyer (state senator), and Matt Little (former state senator). Ettinger begins with the strongest fundraising history, while Reyer has growing suburban party support. |
| Minnesota | 2026-08-11 | Senate | Tina Smith F (Retiring) | Democratic candidates include Angie Craig (U.S. representative), Ilhan Omar (U.S. representative), Dean Phillips (former U.S. representative), and Peggy Flanagan (lieutenant governor). Craig and Omar lead in fundraising capacity, with Craig viewed as the more general-election-oriented contender. |
| Nebraska | 2026-05-12 | NE-02 | Don Bacon D (Retiring) | Democrats view this Omaha-based district as a top pickup opportunity. Tony Vargas (state senator and 2022/2024 nominee) is the leading Democratic contender, with strong fundraising history and national support. Other Democrats may enter, but Vargas is widely considered the front-runner. |
| New Hampshire | 2026-09-08 | Senate | Jeanne Shaheen F (Retiring) | Democratic contenders include Chris Pappas (U.S. representative), Maggie Goodlander (former DOJ official), and Melanie Levesque (former state senate majority leader). Pappas is the fundraising and name-recognition leader and is broadly viewed as the front-runner. |
| New York | 2026-06-23 | NY-07 | Nydia Velazquez B- (Retiring) | Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn Borough President) is a leading Democratic candidate; Sydney Martinez and Paperboy Prince have filed paperwork, but Reynoso’s citywide profile makes him a top contender. Primary scheduled for June 23, 2026. |
| New York | 2026-06-23 | NY-21 | Elise Stefanik F (Retiring) | Democratic contenders likely include Paula Collins (2024 nominee) and North Country local officials. Collins has the strongest prior fundraising base and national Democratic support, though the district remains challenging for Democrats. |
| North Carolina | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Thom Tillis F (Retiring) | Democrats are coalescing around Roy Cooper (former governor), who is widely viewed as the dominant potential candidate if he runs. Other Democrats discussed include Jeff Jackson (U.S. representative) and Rachel Hunt (lieutenant governor), but Cooper’s entry would likely freeze the field due to fundraising and name recognition. |
| Ohio | 2026-05-05 | Senate | J.D. Vance (Resigned to serve as vice president) | A special election will be held November 3, 2026. Democratic contenders include Sherrod Brown allies backing a successor, with Emilia Sykes (U.S. representative) and Allison Russo (former state house minority leader) frequently mentioned. Sykes is viewed as the strongest potential fundraiser and statewide candidate. |
| South Carolina | 2026-06-09 | SC-01 | Nancy Mace D (Running for Governor) | Democratic activity includes Michael B. Moore (prior nominee and businessman) and Charleston-area Democrats. Moore has the most established donor network and previous campaign infrastructure. |
| South Carolina | 2026-06-09 | SC-05 | Ralph Norman F (Running for Governor) | Democrats likely to compete include Eddie Barron (2024 nominee) and other local candidates. Barron has the strongest recent campaign experience and baseline fundraising among Democrats. |
| South Dakota | 2026-06-02 | SD-AL | Dusty Johnson D+ (Running for Governor) | |
| Tennessee | 2026-08-06 | TN-06 | John Rose F (Running for Governor) | Democratic candidates are expected to include Randall Cooper (prior nominee) and Middle Tennessee local officials. Cooper has the most established fundraising and prior campaign infrastructure among Democrats. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-08 | Morgan Luttrell D+ (Retiring) | Democratic activity is limited in this heavily Republican district. Jonathon Duff and R. R. Williams have filed or signaled intent in prior cycles, but no clear Democratic fundraising leader has emerged yet. Expect a low-resource Democratic nominee unless a higher-profile local official enters. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-10 | Michael McCaul (Retiring) | Democrats organizing for this Austin-to-Houston suburban seat include Pamela Powers Hannley (2022 nominee), Brian Robertson (business executive and frequent candidate), and local activists connected to Travis and Williamson County Democratic organizations. Hannley currently has the strongest prior fundraising history and name recognition among Democrats. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-19 | Jodey Arrington F (Retiring) | Democratic activity is minimal in this West Texas district. Likely contenders include the most recent Democratic nominee and local party activists, but no candidate has emerged with significant fundraising, name recognition, or sustained media coverage. As of now, there is no clear Democratic front-runner. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-21 | Chip Roy D- (Running for Attorney General) | Democratic contenders with FEC activity include Gina Ortiz Jones (former U.S. Rep. and 2024 nominee) and Jeremi Suri (author and political figure); Jones retains the strongest fundraising profile among Democrats so far. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-22 | Troy Nehls D+ (Retiring) | Democratic contenders include Chris Fernandez, Sterling Gadison, and Marguette Greene-Scott (who ran here in 2024); they are the primary Democratic entrants. The district has a Republican lean, but these are the primary Democratic names with some fundraising presence. The Republican field includes Rebecca Clark and Trever Nehls. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-30 | Jasmine Crockett (Running for Senate) | Democratic contenders include Terri Hodge (former Dallas city councilmember), Candace Valenzuela (former Irving city councilmember and prior congressional nominee), and Lynn McBee (business leader). Valenzuela has the strongest prior fundraising record and national profile. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-35 | Greg Casar (Running for TX-37) | Democratic primary candidates include John Lira (U.S. Marine veteran and 2022 congressional nominee), Johnny Garcia (Bexar County sheriff’s deputy with local name recognition), and Whitney Masterson-Moyes (business owner). Lira and Garcia are the most active fundraisers and most frequently covered in local news and filings; Lira is often described as the early Democratic frontrunner due to his previous campaign experience and outreach in the San Antonio area. |
| Texas | 2026-03-03 | TX-38 | Wesley Hunt D- (Running for Senate) | Democrats expected to compete include Melissa Noriega (former state representative), James Joseph (community organizer), and other Houston-area Democrats. Noriega has the strongest prior electoral experience and fundraising base, though the district remains challenging for Democrats. |
| Virginia | 2026-06-16 | VA-11 | Gerald Connolly (Deceased) | A special election was held on September 9, 2025, and James Walkinshaw (Democrat) won with ~75% after defeating Irene Shin and Stella Pekarsky in the Democratic contest; as of that election, the seat has been filled and no further contest is pending. |
| Washington | 2026-08-04 | WA-04 | Dan Newhouse F (Retiring) | Democratic candidate John Duresky (project manager, Air Force veteran) is the main Democratic contender with FEC filings; Republicans include Jerrod Sessler, Amanda McKinney, Wesley Meier, and others in this reliably Republican district with a top-two primary. As of late 2025, Duresky’s fundraising trailed GOP opponents but he remains the primary Democratic entrant. Primary filing is open with August 4, 2026, top-two primary. |
| Wisconsin | 2026-08-11 | WI-07 | Tom Tiffany B (Running for Governor) | Democratic candidates are expected to include Kyle Kilbourn (prior nominee) and regional local officials. Kilbourn retains the strongest name recognition and prior fundraising experience among Democrats in the district. |
| Wyoming | 2026-08-18 | Senate | Cynthia Lummis F (Retiring) | |
| Wyoming | 2026-08-18 | WY-AL | Harriet Hageman F (Running for Senate) |