When Graham Platner, a Maine oysterman turned Senate candidate, secured his Democratic primary victory in June, the win wasn’t just a local story. It ignited a national spark, inspiring Alex Scheel, a Washington State veteran, to challenge incumbent Rep. Marilyn Strickland. Scheel’s bid, framed by anti-war rhetoric and progressive policies, reflects a broader shift in how veterans are reshaping American politics—and what it means for the Democratic Party’s future.
The 2026 cycle has seen a 47% increase in candidates with military backgrounds from 2024, with 752 running so far, up from 513, according to With Honor, which tracks veterans in politics. This spike isn’t just about numbers; it’s about a generational reckoning. Veterans like Scheel, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, are rejecting the traditional narrative of military service as a pathway to centrist politics. Instead, they’re leveraging their experiences to push for change, challenging both Republican and Democratic establishments.
“Platner is an inspiration,” Scheel told The Intercept, highlighting their shared background as veterans and progressives. “Americans are tired. There’s hope for more left-wing candidates to challenge Trump and corporate Democrats.” Scheel’s campaign, centered on Medicare for All and housing justice, targets Washington’s 10th Congressional District—a region home to left-wing cities like Tacoma and Olympia. Yet his path is fraught: Strickland, backed by around $800,000 in campaign cash on hand and the backing of the local party, represents a formidable opponent.
But Scheel’s strategy isn’t just about policy. It’s about identity. His military service, which he says “radicalized” him, informs his critique of U.S. foreign policy. “I sat and talked to Iraqis and Afghans every day,” he recalled, recounting a conversation with a man whose family was displaced by American bombing. “I realized our government is often just straight-up lying to you.” This sentiment resonates in an era where trust in institutions is at historic lows.
Scheel’s anti-war stance is particularly potent. Strickland went on a trip to Israel in March 2024 sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, an arm of AIPAC, and is a leadership member of the moderate New Democratic Coalition. This line of attack taps into a broader Democratic Party rift: between establishment figures who prioritize foreign policy alliances and a base demanding accountability for U.S. interventions.
The stakes extend beyond Washington. The 2026 elections could redefine the Democratic Party’s relationship with its progressive wing. For decades, centrist Democrats, perhaps most notably Rahm Emanuel during his time as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, have looked to recruit veterans to topple popular Republican incumbents, often to little lasting electoral success. In the last 10 years, liberals have poured money into losing campaigns like Kentucky’s Amy McGrath, MJ Hegar in Texas, and Marcus Flowers in Georgia. But Scheel’s approach is different. His grassroots organizing, rooted in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), leverages local networks. “People are hungry for normal, regular, working-class people to step up,” he said. “We can build power together.”
This shift mirrors a larger trend: the DSA is currently enjoying electoral upsets in Colorado and New York. Scheel’s campaign, while underfunded—having raised around $5,000 so far—mirrors this model. Scheel was involved in community activism after joining the Tiki tenants fight in Tacoma.
Yet the path is uncertain. But Scheel’s supporters see a different narrative. “It’s about whether the Democratic Party will listen to its base or continue serving corporate interests.”
The 2026 cycle is testing the limits of party
