The incoming Congress will include more than 90 veterans, including a swath of new female members who will bring their military experience to the halls of Congress.
At least six female veterans won their races on Tuesday, including Democratic House newcomers Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Elaine Luria of Virginia. Each played up their military service on the campaign trail, with Sherrill and Houlahan winning open seats and Luria knocking off a fellow vet, Virginia Republican Rep. Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL.
With final calls on several contests still outstanding, the precise number of veterans who will soon serve in Congress remains unclear. The 93 whose races are decided include 68 Republicans and 25 Democrats. Although this is an overall decrease from the last Congress, it will be an increase in female and young veterans.
One prominent veteran already in Congress sought a promotion and may still get it. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., her party’s Senate nominee, held a slim lead Wednesday against Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, with the race yet to be called. McSally served in the Air Force for 22 years, rising to the rank of colonel. She was the first American woman to fly in combat following the military’s lifting of the prohibition on female combat pilots.
Several prominent male veterans are also entering Congress. Democratic newcomer and Army veteran from Colorado Jason Crow beat out Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Coffman, a veteran himself who held key posts on the House Armed Services Committee and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Daniel Crenshaw, R-Texas, a former Navy SEAL whose right eye was destroyed by an explosive in Afghanistan, won Tuesday after receiving nationwide attention for being mocked over his war injury on Saturday Night Live by comic Pete Davidson.
The level of veteran service in Congress is expected to be comparable with recent years. Overall, the number of veterans in Congress has decreased since the 1970s following the end of the draft. However, the number of female and young veterans serving in Congress is increasing.
“We had an uptick in the number of women veterans. And we have a huge cohort of incoming veterans now,” said Veterans Campaign Executive Director Seth Lynn. “We’re seeing more of the younger veterans taking their place in Congress.”
Veterans already in office include Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., who lost both legs in Afghanistan; Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., who served in the U.S. Marine Corps; and Rep. Phil Roe, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, are incumbent female veterans. McSally would make seven female veterans with seats in the House or Senate, should she win.
Former Republican Florida governor and Navy veteran Rick Scott also won his bid for Senate.
Almost half of the veterans served after Sept. 11, 2001.
Despite the many wins for veterans, the number of veteran congressmen and women continues to decline as the veteran population in the country as a whole decreases.
