According to the American Nurses Association, at least 18 nurses are running for Congress in the upcoming general election — 16 for the House and two for the Senate. The field includes three incumbents seeking re-election: Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.), and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), as well as Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), who served as an Army nurse before becoming a physician.
The candidates span parties: 10 Democrats, four Republicans, one Libertarian, one Independent American Party member, and two independents. In Oklahoma's Senate race, two nurses — Ron Meinhardt (I) and N'Kiyla "Jasmine" Thomas (D) — are running against each other and Republican Kevin Hern in a solidly Republican state.
Nursing leaders say the surge reflects frustration with the healthcare system. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the ANA, asked "why not more?" noting that lawyers dominate office and nurses see regulatory barriers and potential solutions. Jacob Garcia, chair of the Washington State Nurses Association PAC, said patients' basic needs are unmet and that rural hospital closures and consolidation show the system is at a breaking point.