Rachel V Thomas

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US Midterms 2026: 125 Doctors, Nurses And Health Experts Join Election Battle

As many as 125 doctors, nurses and public health professionals are contesting the November 3 US midterm elections, marking an unprecedented level of participation by healthcare professionals in electoral politics, according to a media report.

Among the prominent candidates are <span>Dr Amy Acton</span>, Dr Abdul El-Sayed and former US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary <span>Xavier Becerra</span>. 

Many of these candidates entered the political spotlight during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now seeking elected office to influence public health funding, vaccination policies, healthcare access, and the Trump administration’s approach to science and medical research.

“I haven’t seen anything exactly like this before,” historian Dr Kristoffer Shields, director of the Eagleton Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University, told CNN. “The link between science and politics has always been sort of weak.”

A separate review by Becker’s Hospital Review identified at least 58 physicians, nurses and other clinicians running for governor or Congress. The group includes 29 physicians, 16 nurses, four pharmacists, four dentists and five other healthcare professionals. Of these, 46 are contesting House seats, eight are running for the Senate and four are seeking governorships.

<h2>Few Healthcare Professionals In US Congress</h2>

Healthcare professionals currently remain a small minority in American politics. The US Senate has four doctors, all Republicans: John Barrasso of Wyoming, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Roger Marshall of Kansas and Rand Paul of Kentucky.

The House of Representatives includes 17 physicians, four dentists, two pharmacists, one nurse practitioner, one optometrist and one rehabilitation therapist.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exclusive-ex-cdc-vaccine-advisor-says-measles-outbreak-bigger-than-reported-slams-rfk-jrs-no-see-evil-approach-article-156363040" data-type="tilCustomLink">EXCLUSIVE: Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Says Measles Outbreak Bigger Than Reported, Slams RFK Jr’s ‘No-See Evil’ Approach</a>

<h2>Concerns Over Science and Public Health</h2>

Concerns about the Trump administration’s approach to science and public health have become a key reason for healthcare professionals to seek political office.

Other important concerns include the dismissal of federal doctors and scientists, cuts to research funding, removal of government datasets and public health websites, and changes affecting measures such as water fluoridation and childhood vaccination.

“Our country should be great. Our country should be pro-science, pro-innovation, and science keeps us safe. It protects us. It leads to wonderful discoveries, and this administration has completely burned all of that down,” Dr <span>Kristin Hook</span>, a former staffer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Government Accountability Office, told CNN.

Hook, who lost her 2024 bid as a Democrat for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, is contesting the same seat again this year.

Becerra, contesting the California gubernatorial election against Republican candidate Steve Hilton, warned that weakening public health institutions could make the country more vulnerable to natural disasters and pandemics.

“HHS is not a place for science deniers or science skeptics. Why would you get rid of some of our best scientists and doctors and health professionals?” he told CNN.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cdc-survey-shows-nearly-3-in-4-american-adults-are-tired-who-is-most-affected-article-156154255" data-type="tilCustomLink">CDC Survey Shows Nearly 3 In 4 American Adults Are Tired: Who Is Most Affected?</a>

<h2>How COVID-19 Changed Health and Politics Equation</h2>

The COVID-19 pandemic brought public health officials into the political spotlight, as decisions on restrictions, vaccines and other health measures became subjects of intense public debate. 

Some officials also faced threats and harassment, while others left their positions, prompting healthcare professionals to consider a more direct role in policymaking.

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As many as 125 doctors, nurses and public health professionals are contesting the November 3 US midterm elections, marking an unprecedented level of participation by healthcare professionals in electoral politics, according to a media report.Among the prominent candidates are Dr Amy Acton, Dr Abdul El-Sayed and former US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. Many of these candidates entered the political spotlight during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now seeking elected office to influence public health funding, vaccination policies, healthcare access, and the Trump administration’s approach to science and medical research.“I haven’t seen anything exactly like this before,” historian Dr Kristoffer Shields, director of the Eagleton Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University, told CNN. “The link between science and politics has always been sort of weak.”A separate review by Becker’s Hospital Review identified at least 58 physicians, nurses and other clinicians running for governor or Congress. The group includes 29 physicians, 16 nurses, four pharmacists, four dentists and five other healthcare professionals. Of these, 46 are contesting House seats, eight are running for the Senate and four are seeking governorships.  Few Healthcare Professionals In US CongressHealthcare professionals currently remain a small minority in American politics. The US Senate has four doctors, all Republicans: John Barrasso of Wyoming, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Roger Marshall of Kansas and Rand Paul of Kentucky.The House of Representatives includes 17 physicians, four dentists, two pharmacists, one nurse practitioner, one optometrist and one rehabilitation therapist.Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Says Measles Outbreak Bigger Than Reported, Slams RFK Jr’s ‘No-See Evil’ ApproachConcerns Over Science and Public HealthConcerns about the Trump administration’s approach to science and public health have become a key reason for healthcare professionals to seek political office.Other important concerns include the dismissal of federal doctors and scientists, cuts to research funding, removal of government datasets and public health websites, and changes affecting measures such as water fluoridation and childhood vaccination.“Our country should be great. Our country should be pro-science, pro-innovation, and science keeps us safe. It protects us. It leads to wonderful discoveries, and this administration has completely burned all of that down,” Dr Kristin Hook, a former staffer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Government Accountability Office, told CNN.Hook, who lost her 2024 bid as a Democrat for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, is contesting the same seat again this year.Becerra, contesting the California gubernatorial election against Republican candidate Steve Hilton, warned that weakening public health institutions could make the country more vulnerable to natural disasters and pandemics.“HHS is not a place for science deniers or science skeptics. Why would you get rid of some of our best scientists and doctors and health professionals?” he told CNN.Read More: CDC Survey Shows Nearly 3 In 4 American Adults Are Tired: Who Is Most Affected?How COVID-19 Changed Health and Politics EquationThe COVID-19 pandemic brought public health officials into the political spotlight, as decisions on restrictions, vaccines and other health measures became subjects of intense public debate. Some officials also faced threats and harassment, while others left their positions, prompting healthcare professionals to consider a more direct role in policymaking.

us midterms 2026: 125 doctors, nurses and health experts join election battle

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