A former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive with an MBA from Wharton, Bennett has made restoring public school funding a centerpiece of her platform, pledging to reverse cuts to the Department of Education and secure New Jersey's full share of Title I funding. A mom of two girls in New Jersey public schools, she's running to flip one of the nation's most competitive seats, taking on two-term Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in a district Trump carried by just one point.
A 16-year Army combat veteran who later led counterterrorism strategy at the National Security Council and helped safeguard the 2024 election as a senior advisor at CISA, Conley brings a national-security pedigree rare in a first-time candidate. Her platform pairs that record with a cost-of-living focus that includes federal investment in education, as she looks to flip one of only three Republican-held seats nationally that Kamala Harris carried in 2024.
A former charter school principal and White House Fellow who founded a high-performing school in Harlem where 100% of graduates earned college admission despite 86% living below the poverty line, Dandiya is the only former school principal running for Congress in 2026. Endorsed by Arne Duncan, she’s running for an open seat in a competitive South Florida district.
A former special victims prosecutor and lifelong Macomb County resident, Hines was raised in and is now raising her own three children through Warren Woods Public Schools — the same district she credits with the values she brings to this race. She's running for the open seat vacated by gubernatorial candidate John James in one of the cycle's most closely watched flip opportunities.
A former congressman who already flipped Utah's 4th District once, McAdams brings a decade of executive experience as Salt Lake County Mayor, including a recent campaign appearance breaking ground on the new West High School in Salt Lake City. He's the clear frontrunner to reclaim Utah's only Democratic-held House seat in a newly drawn, heavily Democratic 1st District.
A retired Marine Corps drill instructor and native Arizonan raised in a farmworker family, Mendoza served 20 years in the military before becoming a veteran advocate and congressional staffer. Running to flip one of the top toss-up seats in the country, she’s aligned with DFER’s priorities and has made education a central issue in the race.
A Latin Grammy-winning Tejano artist and son of a migrant farmworker, Pulido studied political science at St. Mary's University before building a three-decade music career and small business, and now brings that same up-from-nothing story to South Texas's border communities. Democrats see him as their best shot yet at flipping a heavily Hispanic district that broke for Trump by 18 points in 2024.
A practicing emergency physician and former Arizona state representative who passed more bills than any Arizona Democrat in the past decade, Shah brings deep policy knowledge and a nuanced, evidence-based approach to expanding access to high-quality charter schools alongside strong accountability.
A consistent supporter of funding for charter schools representing a competitive Atlanta suburban district, McBath has built a reputation as a thoughtful, constituents-first legislator. DFER views her as a key member of the pro-reform caucus in a district where education quality is a top voter priority.
A competitive incumbent representing a heavily Hispanic South Texas district, Gonzalez has been a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and is a key pro-reform vote in a district where access to high-quality public school options is a pressing concern. DFER is investing to hold this seat.
A former National Teacher of the Year and one of the most credible education voices among House Democrats, Hayes has been a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and is a key partner in building DFER’s presence on the Education Committee. DFER is committed to growing her engagement and securing her re-election in a competitive Connecticut district.
A consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and a frontline Democrat in a competitive Las Vegas-area district, Horsford has been a reliable pro-reform vote. DFER is investing to ensure his continued engagement as a champion in a district that will be closely watched in 2026.
A first-term congresswoman in a competitive Michigan district, McDonald Rivet has quickly established herself as a consistent champion for education reform. DFER sees her as one of the most promising pro-reform members of her class and a key vote to protect in the House.
The daughter of a Chicago Public Schools teacher, Stratton has spent six years as Illinois' Lieutenant Governor pushing to expand early childhood and K-12 investment, and has been an outspoken defender of Title I funding as Trump has moved to dismantle the Department of Education. She won a crowded primary over sitting U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, and would make Illinois the first state to send an all-woman Senate delegation to Washington.
A Teach For America alum, former public school teacher, and Texas state representative who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, Talarico has supported charter schools at the state level and approaches education as someone who has worked in low-income classrooms firsthand. He is open-minded on reform and represents a historic opportunity to elect a strong education voice to the Senate from Texas.
