Midterm Elections - National
Blue Tsunami Time! National Candidates That Make a Difference
Now that the Washington primary is over, we wanted to help answer one of the top questions that the election task force is often asked: "I want to support national candidates, but I don't always know who the candidates are that will make a difference."
Indivisible Sequim's National team, Tidal Wave, has done extensive research into 75 races for the US Senate, House and state gubernatorial races. Our combined efforts have been to research candidates who we believe have a strong focus on lowering costs for families, making healthcare affordable and emphasizing defending our democracy and voting rights.
Most importantly, we are supporting candidates that we think can win in their state. The
candidates we are highlighting are ones that we feel strongly embody these democratic ideals.
There is a link for each candidate so that you may go to their website and find out how to support them.
Senate Races
2026 U.S. Senate race in Michigan: Abdul El-Sayed (D) v. Mike Rogers (R)
In 2023 Abdul El-Sayed resigned as Wayne County director of health and made an unsuccessful run for governor of Michigan. He is now campaigning for the senate seat held by Democrat Gary Peters. El-Sayed prevailed over Haley Stevens--also a good choice--in the primary, and will face Republican Mike Rogers in November. El-Sayed is known as a progressive. He supports Medicare for all, liberal immigration policies, environmental protections and relies entirely on grassroots funding. He believes more tax payer dollars should be allocated to education and communities and less on military aid to Israel. A significant portion of his base is young voters, a needed demographic as they could be a factor in races nationwide.
El-Sayed has been aggressive in portraying Rogers as nothing more than a mimic of Trump, and has challenged him to a series of public debates. El-Sayed represents a new generation of politicians who, if elected, could usher in a new era of democratic governance. In order to succeed, he will need to sway mainstream establishment democrats and minority groups. El Sayed isn't just the best choice as Michigan's next Senator, he's the best choice for all Americans, representing a new force in reversing congressional inertia. His public persona is more than charismatic, it's genuine, intelligent and inspiring a hope that this country shall not perish from the earth. His endorsements include Bernie Sanders, Kamala
Harris, Ro Khanna, ACO, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Warren, our own Pramila Jayapal, and many more.His campaign link is https://abdulforsenate.com/
2026 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota: Peggy Flanagan (D) v. Michele Tafoya (R)
Peggy Flanagan, a progressive, won the Democratic nomination for US Senate. She’s a Native American (White Earth Ojibwe) and Lt. Governor of Minnesota. She beat Rep. Angie Craig, who was a bit more moderate. Flanagan grew up in MN and became a prominent political leader. At the U. of Minnesota, she majored in Native American studies and child psychology. If she wins in November, she could become the first Native American woman elected to the Senate.
Peggy is 46 years old, married and has a 13 year old daughter. She’s been involved in politics for more than 20 years. She is supported by Bernie Sanders and other progressives. She considers herself an organizer, no matter where she is or what position she holds.
Her campaign link is https://peggyflanagan.com/
2026 U.S. Senate race in Alaska. Mary Peltola (D) v. Dan Sullivan (R)
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Democrat Mary Peltola, a Yup’ik Alaska Native and former U.S. Representative, is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026 against Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in what has shifted from “Leans R” to a toss‑up race. She made history in 2022 as the first Alaska Native and first woman to represent the state in the House, after a long career in the Alaska Legislature, local government, and tribal court. Her campaign centers on “fish, family, and freedom,” focusing on cost‑of‑living pressures, term limits, and protecting fisheries, while also supporting expanded fossil‑fuel production to lower energy costs. Peltola emphasizes how Alaska’s former abundance has given way to scarcity — from salmon to migratory birds — leaving families facing crushing grocery prices, including $17 milk in rural communities. Her campaign is funded largely by grassroots donors, while Sullivan’s support comes from national Republican networks and high‑dollar donors who are spending heavily to oppose her. For more info about Mary, check her website at https://marypeltola.com/
House Races
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Arizona’s 2 nd District:
Jonathan Nez (D) v. Eli Crane (R)
Meet Jonathan Nez. Jonathan is a Navajo man running for Arizona House District 2, against the
incumbent, Eli Crane. The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Tribe in both population, almost 400,00 and land, spanning 27,000 square miles. Jonathan has an interesting background. He grew up very poor in a house with dirt floors and no running water or electricity in Shinto, a town on the Navaho Reservation. As a young man Nez was no stranger to alcohol addiction. Rather than hide his former addiction, Jonathan uses it to show how addiction, so prevalent on the Navajo Nation, can hurt whole communities. Jonathan is married with two children.
Jonathan's background includes a BS in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration. After college in went on to become Vice President and then President of the Navajo Nation for four years. He is running against incumbent Eli Crane, a conservative Republican endorsed by President Trump. The differences between Crane and Nez couldn't be starker. Crane focus on conservative policies like border security and reduced government spending, while Nez emphasizes tribal investment, health care access.
and federal support for rural communities. Currently, the race is very close with Crane only slightly
ahead.
If Jonathan wins this race, he would be the first indigenous political candidate to clinch a major party race in Arizona. Let's help him do this by supporting his campaign with postcards, phone banking or a monetary donation.
His campaign link is https://www.jonathannezforaz.com/
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Nebraska’s 2nd District. Denise Powell (D) v. Brinker Harding (R)
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Denise Powell is running for District 2 House Representative for the state of Nebraska. She is a business woman and political activist, but has never run for political office. Her employment history includes working for Pepsi-Co and Hilton Hotels, and also for several non-profits including Immigrant Legal Center and Women’s Center for Advancement. In 2017 she co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska, a PAC supporting women who run for public office. Her priorities include health care; reproductive rights; Social Security; Medicare; and gun safety. She also supports issues popular with Republicans, including stronger border security, maintaining a strong military, and using tariffs while pursuing trade agreements more favorable to the United States. Her opponent is incumbent Brinker Harding, and polls show the race tied but a slight edge to Powell. If Powell wins this seat and Dan Osborn defeats Pete Ricketts for the Senate seat (a possibility according to polls), this will be the first time in over 30 years Democrats would hold both Senate and House seats simultaneously in Nebraska. https://deniseforcongress.org/
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Virginia’s 1st District. Shannon Taylor (D) v. Rob Wittman (R)
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In Virginia the Democrats are looking to flip some house seats. One of them is in Virginia’s 1st congressional district, which is currently considered a tossup. Democrat Shannon Taylor is running to defeat the Republican incumbent, Rob Wittman. Shannon is currently the commonwealth attorney for Henrico County, a position she has held for 14 years. She states that she is running for Congress to “take on the corruption from both parties that’s jacking up our costs and hurting families.“ This district has been moving toward the Democrats in recent years. Trump narrowly won it in 2024, but last year Abigail Spanberger won it in her race for the governorship of Virginia. For more info about Shannon, look at her website at https://shannontaylorva.com/
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Virginia’s 2nd District. Elaine Luria (D) v. Jen Kiggans (R)
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Another congressional seat in Virginia that could flip is Virginia’s 2nd congressional district. Here Democrat Elaine Luria is running against the Republican incumbent who won the race with barely over 50% of the vote in 2024. Elaine’s campaign slogan is: “Be good. Do good. Work.” She is a Navy veteran and a former congresswoman. She says she “has used her experience in the Navy and as a small-business owner to protect our country and create an economy that works for everyone.” This district is considered one of the most competitive in the country and is expected to be one of the most
closely watched in this year’s elections. For more info about Elaine, check her website at https://elaineforcongress.com/
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Florida’s 16th District. Kelly Kirschner (D) v. Sydney Gruters (R)
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Florida’s 16th congressional district has an open seat that was formerly held by a Republican. With the national mood and Trump’s low approval rating, the Democratic nominee, Kelly Kirschner, has a chance to flip this seat in a district that currently tilts Republican. Kelly is the former mayor of Sarasota and the former vice president and dean of Eckerd College. Kelly’s campaign slogan is “Let’s Fix This.” He is running for congress to “lower costs, defend health care, and bring opportunity home to the Gulf Coast” of Florida. For more info about Kelly, take a look at his campaign website at https://kellykirschner.com
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in Tennessee’s 5th District. Chaz Molder (D) v. Jeff Crank (R)
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Tennessee’s, yes Tennessee’s, 5th congressional district is a target district for the Democrats. The Republican incumbent, Andy Ogles, lost his primary. This makes it an open seat and creates a potential opening for the Democratic nominee, Chaz Molder. Chaz is the current Mayor of Columbia, a position he has held since 2018 when he became the youngest mayor in Tennessee and the youngest mayor in Columbia’s history. The gerrymandering that the Tennessee Republican Party did after the Supreme Court gutted what remained of the Voting Rights Act has made this lean Republican district a more difficult race for Chaz to win, but it’s not impossible. For more info about Chaz, visit his campaign website at https://chazmolder.com/
2026 U.S. House of Representatives race in New Jersey’s 5th District. Rebecca Bennett (D) v. Tom Kean (R)
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Rebecca Bennett is running for House Representative for New Jersey's 7th District, her first campaign for public office. Bennett served ten years as a pilot in the Navy and the Air National Guard. She has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Cornell and an MBA from Wharton. Subsequent to her military service, Bennett worked in various capacities for several healthcare companies, including Johnson & Johnson and Midi Health, and is currently vice president of strategic partnerships and network operations for Oshi Health. If elected she will focus on gun safety; reproductive rights; housing, the economy; and environmental issues. Her opponent is Tom Kean, who was elected to the seat in 2022.
An advantage could be given to Bennett based on her background in health care and military service. Polls indicate a toss-up, with a narrow lead for Bennett.