Across the country, 314 Action scientists are taking on many of the GOP’s biggest boogeyman and chameleons. These races set up a contest between lab coats and politicians. In 2026, a record number of doctors, scientists, engineers, nurses and public health experts are stepping out of laboratories, hospitals and classrooms to challenge some of the Republican Party’s most entrenched incumbents.
314 Action Fund has invested more than $12 million in Democratic primaries during the 2026 cycle—more than at any point in our organization’s history. We’ve also endorsed more than 300 STEM candidates up and down the ballot, proving that doctors, scientists, engineers, nurses and public health experts can compete and win everywhere—from battleground districts to deep-blue primaries.
We made these investments because we believe the strongest challengers aren’t career politicians—they’re physicians treating patients, scientists solving problems, and public health experts who have spent their careers delivering solutions.
Lab Coats vs. Career Politicians
Doctors and scientists are taking on some of the Republican Party’s highest-profile incumbents in some of the most nationally significant contests on the map.
In South Carolina, Dr. Annie Andrews is challenging Lindsey Graham. In Ohio, Dr. Amy Acton is running for governor against Vivek Ramaswamy. In Colorado, STEM candidates are competing against incumbents like Representative Gabe Evans, whose record has drawn scrutiny over healthcare votes. In California, Dr. Richard Pan is challenging fake Independent Kevin Kiley, while in New Jersey, Rebecca Bennett is taking on the GOP’s missing man, Representative Tom Kean Jr.
In the midterms, 314 Action Fund endorsed candidates are competing directly with incumbents in races where the stakes are highest and where control of Congress may ultimately be decided.
Scientists and Doctors Win in Deep Blue Primaries and Battleground Districts
314 Action-backed STEM candidates have scored major victories in some of the most competitive primaries of the cycle, proving scientists and doctors can win everywhere—from Republican-held battleground districts to highly competitive Democratic primaries in safe blue seats:
Colorado’s 8th Congressional District: State Representative Manny Rutinel won one of the country’s most closely watched Democratic primaries, positioning Democrats to compete in a key swing district this November.
Georgia’s 13th Congressional District: Dr. Jasmine Clark won the Democratic nomination and is on track to become the first Black woman Ph.D. scientist ever elected to Congress. 314 Action has supported Dr. Clark since her first state legislative campaign.
California’s 6th Congressional District: Pediatrician Dr. Richard Pan advanced to the general election after 314 Action Fund’s $1.5 million investment prevented a Democratic lockout in one of California’s most competitive congressional races.
California’s 26th Congressional District: Jacqui Irwin secured the Democratic nomination after receiving support from 314 Action as part of our effort to elect evidence-based leaders in critical California races.
New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District: Former U.S. Army combat surgeon Dr. Adam Hamawy won a highly competitive Democratic primary, adding another physician to 314 Action’s growing pipeline of doctors in Washington.
Illinois’ 9th Congressional District: Earlier this year, 314 Action also helped elect Ph.D. mathematician and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, investing $410,000 to clear the crowded primary.
More Than $8 Million Invested To Shape The Field
314 Action Fund has invested more than $8 million during the primary season—more than double what the organization invested in primaries in 2024 and the most since we were founded in 2016.
These investments have included independent expenditures, digital advertising, direct mail, television, Joint Fundraising Committees, and coordinated campaign support designed to identify and elevate the strongest STEM candidates before opponents define the race. This includes 1.6 million mail pieces delivered, 60 million digital impressions and more than 7,000 gross rating points in 6 media markets in the primary election cycle alone.
$4 Million Bundled Directly to STEM Candidates
Beyond independent expenditures, 314 Action Fund has bundled more than $4 million directly to Democratic STEM candidates this cycle.
That includes major fundraising support for:
Dr. Amy Acton, candidate for Governor of Ohio.
Dr. Annie Andrews, candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.
Multiple congressional candidates from Iowa to California are part of 314 Action’s growing network of doctors, scientists and healthcare professionals receiving support.
By connecting campaigns with a national community of pro-science donors, 314 Action is providing candidates with the resources needed to compete from the earliest stages of their campaigns.
Bottom Line: 314 Action Fund enters the general election stronger than at any point in its history. Our record-breaking primary investments have helped elect a new generation of Democratic doctors, scientists and STEM leaders while proving these candidates can win the toughest races on the map. They consistently bring credibility on healthcare, the number one issue this cycle—giving Democrats a competitive advantage with voters looking for trusted problem-solvers. The path back to a Democratic House majority runs through pro-science candidates.
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314 Action is the only national organization working to recruit, train and elect Democratic scientists across all levels of government—from the Senate down to local school boards. The organization is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people supporting scientists and health care professionals who will use science and facts to address the most urgent issues facing our generation.