Stand Up for Science backs pro-science House candidates in six swing districts

Stand Up for Science is endorsing its first slate of congressional candidates for the 2026 midterms, targeting races it sees as key to defending public health, research and evidence-based policymaking. The group says the effort is aimed at replacing anti-science members of Congress in 2027.

Why it matters: - Stand Up for Science is using its first congressional endorsements to try to shape control of the 120th Congress after the 2026 midterms. - The group is backing candidates it says will defend public health, scientific research, government accountability and democracy. - The endorsements target districts that could help replace anti-science members of Congress in 2027.

What happened: - Stand Up for Science announced six initial endorsements for the 2026 midterm elections. - The endorsed candidates are Will Lawrence in Michigan’s 7th District, Jasmine Clark in Georgia’s 13th District, Chris Gallant in New York’s 1st District, Don Leonard in Ohio’s 15th District, Jamie Ager in North Carolina’s 11th District and Bernadette Greene-Placentia in Arizona’s 8th District. - The organization says all six are running in critical races against Trump-aligned opponents. - The group said endorsements are intended to signal which candidates will preserve scientific freedom and keep political and ideological influence out of the scientific process. - Founder and CEO Dr. Colette Delawalla said the endorsements extend the group’s advocacy response to attacks on science and democracy. - Spokesperson Vincent Vertuccio said the races are “must-win” contests to stop what he called the war on science.

The details: - Will Lawrence is a community organizer. - Jasmine Clark is a microbiologist and current state representative. - Chris Gallant is a military veteran and public servant. - Don Leonard is a university professor. - Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer. - Bernadette Greene-Placentia is a long-haul trucker and small business owner. - The endorsements were awarded after what the group described as a careful vetting process. - Stand Up for Science previously endorsed Brian Poindexter in Ohio’s 7th District and is backing his effort to unseat Rep. Max Miller. - More endorsements are expected in the coming weeks. - Delawalla and Vertuccio are available for comment and media appearances.

Between the lines: - The endorsement rollout shows Stand Up for Science moving beyond advocacy and into direct electoral politics. - The candidate mix suggests the group is looking for contenders with local credibility and nontraditional backgrounds, not just scientists. - The group is framing science policy as a democracy issue, not only a research or health issue.

What's next: - Stand Up for Science plans to announce additional endorsements in the coming weeks. - The organization will likely use the midterm campaign to mobilize voters around science, research funding and institutional independence. - The endorsed candidates will now seek to turn the group’s support into turnout and fundraising advantages.

The bottom line: - Stand Up for Science is trying to turn science advocacy into electoral power in a handful of competitive House races.