Smaller But More Diverse Group of Veterans Running for Congress This Year

At a time when diversity in the military has become a political punching bag, the share of veterans running for Congress who identify as minorities ticked up this year compared to the last election.

Overall, fewer veterans will be on November's general election ballots than during the 2022 congressional elections. But about 22% of those Republican, Democratic and third-party candidates this year are minorities, compared with about 19% two years ago, according to an analysis by the political action committee With Honor, which supports veterans running for Congress who commit to working across party lines.

"The country is also getting more diverse, which, of course, the military is a reflection of that," said Rye Barcott, co-founder of With Honor and a Marine Corps veteran. "Both parties are aware of this as well and are interested in recruiting more minority vet members in addition to veterans in general."