Doctors run for office in response to Trump health policies
A number of Democratic doctors, scientists, and public health professionals are running for elected office in the 2026 midterm elections, according to a report from The Guardian. These candidates cite concerns about the direction of federal health policy under the Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services. The candidates include Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for U.S. Senate from Michigan, and Jasmine Clark, a microbiologist who won her Democratic primary for Georgia’s 13th congressional district. They point to cuts at HHS—including a reduction of 20,000 employees and more than $12 billion in public health funding—as well as the cancellation of over 2,000 NIH research grants. Others in the wave include pediatrician Richard Pan, running in California’s 6th congressional district, and combat surgeon Adam Hamawy, running in New Jersey’s 12th district. The article notes that while physicians have served in Congress before, these candidates argue that past Republican doctors have not always prioritized scientific independence.
What’s reported
Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and PhD in public health, is running for U.S. Senate from Michigan.
Jasmine Clark, a microbiologist, won her Democratic primary for Georgia’s 13th congressional district.
Richard Pan, a pediatrician, is running in California’s 6th congressional district in a primary on June 2, 2026.
Adam Hamawy, a combat surgeon, is running for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district on a Medicare for All platform.
Annie Andrews, a South Carolina pediatrician endorsed by Emily’s List, is trailing Senator Lindsey Graham by a few points in polls.
HHS workforce has been cut by 20,000 employees under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to the article.
Public health funding has been reduced by more than $12 billion, and more than 2,000 NIH research grants have been canceled.
More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees have publicly called for Kennedy to resign.
The article reports that Kennedy fired or forced out top scientific leaders at every major health agency.
In Texas’s 15th congressional district, Dr. Ada Cuellar lost her March primary to Bobby Pulido.
Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana senator and physician, expressed reservations about voting to confirm Kennedy but cast the vote and later lost his primary.
Open questions
It remains unclear how many of these physician candidates will win their elections, including El-Sayed, Pan, and others who face competitive primaries or general elections.
Misconceptions
The article addresses the misconception that having physicians in Congress is new; it notes that the Senate currently has four physicians and the House has 16. However, the Democratic candidates argue that the presence of Republican physicians has not guaranteed scientific independence, citing Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote to confirm Kennedy despite reservations.
Key figures
Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan Senate candidate
Jasmine Clark – Georgia 13th congressional district candidate
Richard Pan – California 6th congressional district candidate
Adam Hamawy – New Jersey 12th congressional district candidate
Annie Andrews – South Carolina Senate candidate
Ada Cuellar – former Texas 15th congressional district candidate
Bill Cassidy – former Louisiana senator and physician
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – HHS Secretary
Amanda Litman – co-founder of Run for Something
Bobby Pulido – Texas candidate who defeated Cuellar
Senator Tammy Duckworth – mentioned in relation to Hamawy
Senator Lindsey Graham – incumbent opponent of Andrews
Sources: The Guardian
