Impact Report

New Politics recruits, advises, and elects transformational leaders who have served our country in the military, national service, or in a service profession. We are here to support their next mission.

New politics electeds

Meet the New Politics-backed servant leaders who brought integrity, courage, and service into elected office — and are reshaping American democracy from the inside out.

Abigail Spanberger
Incumbent
Virginia
Governor

Abigail
Spanberger

Former Central Intelligence Agency officer & congresswoman (VA-07)

AbigailSpanberger

Abigail Spanberger is the Governor of Virginia and previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before elected office, she worked in national security as a CIA operations officer and later in the private sector. Her career has been defined by public service, bipartisan problem-solving, and a focus on economic opportunity and government accountability.

Mikie Sherrill
Incumbent
New Jersey
Governor

Mikie
Sherrill

U.S. Navy veteran & former congresswoman (NJ-11)

MikieSherrill

Mikie Sherrill is the Governor of New Jersey, and a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a helicopter pilot. Her background also includes work as a federal prosecutor. As governor, Sherrill has focused on affordability, public safety, and economic growth. Her leadership is rooted in competence and service.

Elissa Slotkin
Incumbent
U.S. Senate
Michigan

Elissa
Slotkin

Former Central Intelligence Agency analyst & congresswoman (MI-07)

ElissaSlotkin

Elissa has dedicated her career to serving the country she loves. A former CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraq alongside the U.S. military, Elissa then worked in national security roles at the Pentagon and White House under President Bush and President Obama. In the Obama Administration, she briefed the President on some of the most sensitive national security matters of the day and was eventually nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs at the Pentagon. In 2018, Elissa was motivated to do more and ran for Congress, flipping a long time Republican-held seat and helping Democrats retake the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elissa was re-elected to the House in 2020 and again in 2022 by delivering on the things that mattered the most to her constituents – expanding access to affordable healthcare, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and bringing critical supply chains and manufacturing back to Michigan. In November 2024, Elissa was elected to serve Michigan in the U.S. Senate, succeeding Debbie Stabenow. In the Senate, Elissa will fight to expand Michigan's middle class, create jobs with dignity, and keep our communities and children safe.

Phillip Jones
Incumbent
Mayor
Newport News, Virginia

Phillip
Jones

U.S. Marine Corps veteran New Politics Academy alum

PhillipJones

Phillip Jones is the 27th Mayor of Newport News, Virginia and the city's youngest directly elected mayor. Mayor Jones previously served in leadership roles in the public and private sectors. As a Marine Corps infantry officer, he led his Marines to support peacekeeping and security cooperation missions on four continents. As a management consultant with a leading global firm, he advised Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, and nonprofits on strategy, marketing, organization, and operations across all industries.

Pat Ryan
Incumbent
U.S. House
New York's 18th district

Pat
Ryan

U.S. Army veteran & former Ulster County Executive New Politics Academy alum

PatRyan

Pat Ryan represents New York's 18th Congressional District in the U.S. House and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq. His service continues in public office, where he emphasizes leadership and accountability. Ryan has focused his congressional work on veterans' services, reproductive freedom, and lowering costs for working families. He is known for centering constituent needs in his policymaking.

New politics candidates

These New Politics candidates are running in decisive 2026 races that could flip the House and reshape American democracy.

David Crowley
Candidate
Wisconsin
Governor

David
Crowley

Americorps alum & current Milwaukee County Executive

DavidCrowley

David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive in Wisconsin and a Democrat running for governor in 2026. He began his political career working as a campaign organizer and policy aide before being elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2016. Crowley made history as the youngest and first Black Milwaukee County Executive when he was sworn in in 2020, leading initiatives on economic development, housing, and public health. His campaign emphasizes expanding opportunity statewide and addressing cost-of-living challenges for working families.

James Talarico
Candidate
U.S. Senate
Texas

James
Talarico

Americorps alum & current TX State Representative District 50

JamesTalarico

James Talarico is a former public school teacher first elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. After college, Talarico joined Teach For America and taught middle school on the Westside of San Antonio. He currently sits on the Public Education Committee, the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, and the Calendars Committee. One of the youngest elected officials in Texas, Talarico is getting big things done in his home state.

Joanna Mendoza
Candidate
U.S. House
Arizona's 6th district

Joanna
Mendoza

U.S. Marine Corps veteran & former federal prosecutor

JoannaMendoza

JoAnna Mendoza is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Arizona's 6th District and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Her military service instilled a lifelong commitment to duty and integrity. Mendoza focuses her platform on veterans' services, reproductive freedom, and protecting democracy. She emphasizes leadership rooted in service rather than politics.

Maura Sullivan
Candidate
U.S. House
New Hampshire's 1st district

Maura
Sullivan

U.S. Marine Corps veteran & former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs

MauraSullivan

Maura Sullivan is a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Her military experience prepared her for leadership in high-pressure environments. Sullivan has focused her campaign on healthcare access, veterans' services, and strengthening public institutions. She brings a results-oriented approach to federal leadership.

Rebecca Bennett
Candidate
U.S. House
New Jersey's 7th district

Rebecca
Bennett

U.S. Navy veteran & current Air National Guard

RebeccaBennett

Rebecca Bennett is a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 7th District and a U.S. Navy veteran. Her time in uniform reinforced her commitment to integrity and preparation. Bennett focuses her campaign on lowering healthcare costs, protecting reproductive rights, and supporting veterans. She leads with steadiness and resolve.

Cait Conley
Candidate
U.S. House
New York's 17th district

Cait
Conley

U.S. Army veteran

CaitConley

Cait Conley is a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 17th District and served in the U.S. Army. Her experience in uniform reinforced her commitment to service and problem-solving. Conley has centered her campaign on economic opportunity, healthcare access, and support for military families. She brings a practical, service-driven perspective to federal policy.

Ryan Crosswell
Candidate
U.S. House
Pennsylvania's 7th district

Ryan
Crosswell

U.S. Marine Corps veteran & former federal prosecutor

RyanCrosswell

Ryan Crosswell is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th District and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. His military service reinforced his commitment to responsibility and resilience. Crosswell's platform focuses on protecting democracy, lowering costs for families, and supporting veterans' services. He emphasizes ethical leadership and accountability.

Sarah Trone Garriott
Candidate
U.S. House
Iowa's 3rd district

Sarah
Trone Garriott

American & Iraq War veteran & former state senator for District 22

SarahTrone Garriott

Sarah Trone Garriott is an Iowa state senator and minister who announced her candidacy for the U.S. House to represent Iowa's 3rd District. She was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2020 and has served since January 2021. Garriott's service background includes volunteer work with AmeriCorps VISTA, roles as a hospital chaplain, and pastoral leadership in Lutheran churches. She has also worked on interfaith engagement and community service coordination in the Des Moines area while advocating for health and human services issues.

Kishla Askins
Candidate
U.S. House
Nebraska's 2nd district

Kishla
Askins

U.S. Navy veteran & former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs

KishlaAskins

Kishla Askins is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District and served in the U.S. Navy. Her military background informs her disciplined and service-oriented approach. Askins has centered her platform on healthcare access, veterans' services, and economic opportunity. She emphasizes practical solutions for working families.

Matt Maasdam
Candidate
U.S. House
Michigan's 7th district

Matt
Maasdam

U.S. Navy veteran & President Emeritus of Orange City Military Museum

MattMaasdam

Matt Maasdam is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan's 7th District and a U.S. Navy veteran. His military service shaped his commitment to teamwork and accountability. Maasdam's platform emphasizes strengthening democracy, supporting workers, and expanding access to healthcare. He brings a mission-driven approach to public service.

Evan Munsing
Candidate
U.S. House
Colorado's 8th district

Evan
Munsing

U.S. Marine Corps veteran

EvanMunsing

Evan Munsing is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Colorado's 8th District and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His service shaped his leadership style and commitment to teamwork. Munsing has centered his campaign on economic opportunity, healthcare access, and public safety. He brings a mission-focused approach to addressing community challenges.

Darren McAuley
Candidate
U.S. House
Florida's 15th district

Darren
McAuley

U.S. Air Force veteran & current Air National Guard

DarrenMcAuley

Darren McAuley is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida's 15th District and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. His military service shaped a lifelong commitment to public service and national security. After serving his country in uniform, he turned his focus to strengthening his community at home. McAuley brings a service-first mindset to his campaign, centered on accountability and opportunity for working families.

Jessica Killin
Candidate
U.S. House
Colorado's 5th district

Jessica
Killin

U.S. Army veteran & former federal prosecutor

JessicaKillin

Jessica Killin is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Colorado's 5th District and a U.S. Army veteran. Her military background informs her disciplined and people-first leadership style. Killin's platform highlights affordable healthcare, reproductive freedom, and veterans' mental health. She emphasizes pragmatic solutions over partisan gridlock.

Zach Dembo
Candidate
U.S. House
Kentucky's 6th district

Zach
Dembo

U.S. Navy veteran & former federal prosecutor & New Politics Academy alum

ZachDembo

Zach Dembo is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Kentucky's 6th District, with a career rooted in public service as a Navy JAG officer, federal prosecutor, and policy advisor. Raised in Lexington, he taught in underserved schools through Teach For America before attending law school and serving over four years in the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps. Dembo has also worked in the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and served as policy advisor and legislative director for Kentucky's governor. He resigned from federal prosecution due to concerns about politicization and is now running to bring his public service experience to Congress.

Servant leader programming

Programs from New Politics and the New Politics Academy designed to develop, equipand inspire the next generation of servant leaders.

Answering the call

Answering the Call engages participants in the deep personal reflection necessary to understand the kind of leaders they can become — and how they can lead through politics.

Participants and partners agree:

  • Answering the Call engages service-driven leaders in a meaningful reflection process.
  • The program builds a pipeline of leaders ready to step up to higher levels of political engagement.

Total cohorts:

35

Total graduates:

330

42% women

54% Bipoc

19 virtual

16 in-person

net promoterscore

4.5/5
99% LTR

Foundations

Foundations grounds servant leaders in their core values and equips them with tactical tools needed to run successful campaigns for elected office.

Participants and partners agree:

  • I understand my core values and how they shape my leadership.
  • I can share my public narrative with clarity and confidence.
  • I know how to invite donors to invest in my campaign.
  • I’m equipped with the tools and networks to run a strong campaign.

Total cohorts:

189

Total graduates:

100 across eight cohorts

44% women

60% Bipoc

19 virtual

16 in-person

net promoterscore

4.5/5
99% LTR