Endorsements
2026 Candidates
The Steady State endorses candidates for Congress, Governor, and other national-security-relevant offices who show a consistent commitment to the rule of law regardless of party, support nonpartisan oversight of the Executive Branch, and understand the security challenges facing the country. Endorsed candidates must also uphold democratic norms — the peaceful transfer of power, rejection of political violence, and defense of civil liberties including a free press and the right to dissent. The Steady State does not endorse candidates who have worked to subvert democratic institutions, discredited the security community without evidence, or promoted disinformation or extremism.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JASON CROW FOR COLORADO’S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jason Crow represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District and is an Army combat veteran who has dedicated his career to public service and support for veterans and working families. Raised in a working-class family in Colorado he enlisted in the Army after the September 11th attacks, serving three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and earning a Bronze Star. He returned home where he practiced law and helped veterans in Colorado secure their benefits. In Congress, Crow has served on the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JESSICA KILLIN FOR COLORADO’S 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jessica Killin is running to represent Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District after a career spanning military service, Capitol Hill leadership, White House service, veterans policy, and public-sector advocacy. A fourth-generation Coloradan raised in Colorado Springs, Killin served in the U.S. Army as a Captain, paratrooper, and Military Police Officer overseas before earning her law degree from Georgetown. In D.C., Killin served as Chief of Staff for members of Congress, and later served in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Second Gentleman. Her profile shows her experience as a senior congressional and White House staff leader with direct experience in institutional governance, veterans policy, executive-branch operations, and military public service.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI FOR MARYLAND’S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Johnny Olszewski represents Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, covering much of Baltimore and Carroll counties and portions of Baltimore City. A former public-school teacher, Olszewski holds degrees from Goucher College and George Washington University and a Ph.D. in public policy from UMBC. He served more than nine years in the Maryland House of Delegates and two terms as Baltimore County Executive before being elected to Congress in 2024. Olszewski has built a growing national security and foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES CHRIS BACKEMEYER FOR NEBRASKA’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Chris Backemeyer is running to represent Nebraska’s First Congressional District after a career in diplomacy, sanctions policy, and national-security policymaking. He served in senior State Department and National Security Council roles focused on Iran, sanctions, Middle East diplomacy, and regional security. At the White House, Backemeyer served as NSC Director for Iran, advising senior national-security decision makers on Iran policy. At the State Department, he served in senior roles including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iranian Affairs and helped represent the United States in P5+1 Iran nuclear negotiations, including work as a lead sanctions negotiator. His experience gives him a substantive national-security profile rooted in diplomacy, sanctions implementation, interagency policy, and high-stakes negotiations.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES CARMELA CONROY FOR WASHINGTON’S 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Carmela Conroy is running to represent Washington’s Fifth Congressional District after a 25-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. Her diplomatic service included assignments across Asia, Europe, South Asia, and the Pacific, with work in political affairs, consular operations, public diplomacy, and interagency coordination. Conroy’s national-security background includes service as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Naha, Japan; political advisor to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan, Afghanistan; watch officer in the State Department Operations Center; and political-military affairs work at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Her profile brings direct diplomatic, crisis-management, alliance, and overseas national-security experience to the race.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JIM HIMES FOR CONNECTICUT’S 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District and has built a senior intelligence-oversight profile through long service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Before Congress, Himes worked in finance and nonprofit leadership and served in local government in Greenwich. In Congress, he serves as Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, where his work centers on oversight of the intelligence community, constitutional limits on intelligence activities, national-security accountability, and protecting intelligence capabilities while ensuring they operate within American law and values.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES TED LIEU FOR FOR CALIFORNIA’S 36TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Ted Lieu represents California’s Thirty-Sixth Congressional District and is currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the California State Assembly and State Senate before being elected to Congress in 2014, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel after service on active duty and in the Reserves. In Congress, Lieu has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, his military background, and his work on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, civil liberties, oversight, and the rule of law.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES DINA TITUS FOR NEVADA’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Dina Titus is a Democratic congresswoman representing Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, which includes much of the Las Vegas area. She was first elected to the U.S. House in 2008 and returned to Congress in 2012 after serving in the Nevada State Senate from 1989 to 2008, including as Senate Minority Leader. In Congress, she has focused on transportation, foreign affairs, veterans, and environmental protection. She currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE FOR CALIFORNIA’S 37TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Sydney Kamlager-Dove represents California’s 37th Congressional District and comes from a background rooted in public service, state leadership, and advocacy for equity and justice. She previously served in the California State Senate and California State Assembly, where she worked on issues including criminal justice reform, housing, healthcare, and women’s rights. In Congress, Kamlager-Dove has built a foreign policy profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where her work has focused on democracy and governance, U.S.-Africa relations, global human rights, and advancing U.S. engagement with international partners.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES SARA JACOBS FOR CALIFORNIA’S 51ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Sara Jacobs represents California’s Fifty-First Congressional District, which includes much of San Diego and surrounding communities. She worked on conflict prevention, international security, and development issues at the United Nations, UNICEF, the U.S. Department of State, and as a foreign policy advisor before being elected to Congress. In Congress, Jacobs has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee, including as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa and as Founding Co-Chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JIMMY GOMEZ FOR CALIFORNIA’S 34TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jimmy Gomez represents California’s Thirty-Fourth Congressional District, one of the country’s most diverse districts, and has served in Congress since 2017. A graduate of UCLA and Harvard Kennedy School, he served in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the Assembly Appropriations Committee, before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Gomez has built a national security profile through his service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, including as Ranking Member on the CIA Subcommittee.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JIM COSTA FOR CALIFORNIA’S 21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Jim Costa represents California’s Twenty-First Congressional District, which includes parts of Fresno and Tulare counties, and has served in Congress since 2005. He worked as a congressional aide and served for 24 years in the California State Legislature before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Costa has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has focused on U.S. support for Ukraine, sanctions on Iran, recognition of the Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Israel relations, and defending democratic principles abroad.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE
Cory Booker represents New Jersey in the United States Senate and has served since winning a special election in 2013. He founded a nonprofit providing legal services to low-income families and served on the Newark City Council and as Mayor of Newark before being elected to the Senate. In Congress, Booker has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside his work on democratic governance, economic security, and global human rights.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES LOU CORREA FOR CALIFORNIA’S 46TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District, including Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, and Garden Grove. He worked as a banker, attorney, and real estate broker before serving in the California State Assembly, Orange County Board of Supervisors, and California State Senate. In Congress, Correa has built a strong homeland security profile through his service on the House Homeland Security Committee, where his work has focused on border security, counterterrorism, law enforcement, intelligence, cybersecurity, and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES FRED WELLMAN FOR MISSOURI’S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Fred Wellman is running to represent Missouri’s Second Congressional District after a career spanning military service, veterans advocacy, and democracy-focused civic engagement. Wellman served more than 22 years in the U.S. Army as an aviator and public affairs officer, including multiple combat tours in Iraq. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, he founded ScoutComms, a communications and advocacy firm. His profile combines senior military leadership, combat aviation, strategic communications, veterans advocacy, and a sustained public commitment to democratic accountability.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JON OSSOFF FOR SENATE
Jon Ossoff represents Georgia in the United States Senate and is currently serving his first term. He previously led an investigative journalism company focused on exposing war crimes, public corruption, human trafficking, and organized crime before being elected to the Senate in 2020. In Congress, Ossoff has built a strong national security and oversight profile through his service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JEFF MERKLEY FOR SENATE
Jeff Merkley represents Oregon in the United States Senate and is currently serving his third term. He worked on nuclear policy in Washington, D.C., led Portland Area Habitat for Humanity, and served in the Oregon House of Representatives, including as Speaker, before being elected to the Senate in 2008. In Congress, Merkley has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES AMI BERA FOR CALIFORNIA’S 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Ami Bera represents California’s Sixth Congressional District and has served in Congress since 2013. He spent two decades as a physician, healthcare administrator, Sacramento County Chief Medical Officer, and clinical professor before being elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, Bera has built a strong foreign policy and national security profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, including as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES MADELEINE DEAN FOR PENNSYLVANIA’S 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Madeleine Dean represents Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District and is currently serving her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. A graduate of La Salle University and Delaware Law School, she served as an Abington Township Commissioner and Pennsylvania State Representative before being elected to Congress in 2018. In Congress, Dean has built a foreign policy profile through her service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES TROY CARTER FOR LOUISIANA’S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Troy A. Carter represents Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, and is a longtime public servant of the state of Louisiana. A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Holy Cross, he served in the Louisiana House, New Orleans City Council, and Louisiana State Senate before being elected to Congress in 2021. In Congress, Carter has built a strong homeland security profile through his service on the House Homeland Security Committee.