Veterans in Congress projected to decline, but Dems bringing more first-time vets by 3-to-1 margin over GOP

The share of military veterans in Congress is projected to fall to its lowest level in decades in the incoming 120th Congress, but while overall veteran representation continues a long-term decline, the partisan composition of the freshman class marks a sharp contrast.

Democrats are bringing roughly three times as many first-time veteran members as Republicans, and they are catching up among House members overall.

Still, as America marks Veterans Day, the numbers show the institutional voice of military service in the legislative branch is heading toward its lowest watermark in modern history.

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Analysis from With Honor Action and Military Times indicate veterans will hold roughly 15% of seats when the new Congress convenes in January, down from about 19% in the outgoing body and well below the 27% recorded in 2001 before the war on terror began. That comes despite a record number of veterans running in 2026, according to the analysis.

Going into the past Congress in January 2025, there were just 28 Democrats compared to 72 Republicans, according to Military Times. Among the 79 projected for the 120th Congress, the partisan gap is closing to 33 Democrats and 46 Republicans.

In addition the massive Republican midterm losses, at least 11 Democratic veterans are projected to win House seats for the first time.

One uncalled race between Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and her Democratic challenger, retired Navy Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher – a former longtime Republican who switched parties in 2024 – remains in Colorado’s 4th District. Laubacher holds a roughly 3,300-vote lead with nearly all ballots counted. Some outlets have called the race for Laubacher, an outspoken critic of War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

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Among the confirmed Democrat freshmen are former Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, D-S.C., who was removed from her post as chief of the Navy Reserve by Hegseth in August 2025.

Other Democrat veterans entering Congress as freshmen representatives-elect, as first reported by National Interest:

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Several of these Democrats have criticized Hegseth’s personnel decisions, promotion interventions, and focus on cultural issues, with some signaling support for heightened oversight or impeachment proceedings. Lacore, the highest-ranking veteran in the new class, has said she was never given a reason for her firing and has argued that Hegseth’s leadership has damaged military readiness.

On the Republican side, four first-time veteran members are heading to Washington:

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These Republicans have generally aligned with the administration on defense priorities, including support for Hegseth.

The decline in veteran membership in Congress includes 12 Republicans defeated this year:

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Among the veterans who retired or did not seek re-election, it was largely Republican (11) versus Democrat (2):

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Three leave Congress after running for another office and losing:

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Four Republicans and one Democrat left office early in the past Congress or died.