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WHAT'S ON OUR MIND
Meet JAC's August Impact 2026 Candidates
July 31, 2026
These races are some of the toughest and tightest in the country. Each of these candidates will play an important role in helping us reset the agenda in this country. They need your support today. Every member of Congress votes on every issue you care about.
MARY PELTOLA (D-AK)
Mary Peltola is a former congresswoman for Alaska’s at-large district and the first Alaska Native elected to Congress. She is running for the Senate. Mary was born and raised in Alaska and won statewide. She holds the largest vote share of any Democrat in Alaska since 1974.
She has been called “Democrats’ great Alaskan hope” and the Democrat most likely to win a red-state Senate seat this year. The race has shifted into the toss-up category despite Trump carrying the state by more than 13 points. It is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country. A win here could help Dems win the Senate majority.
Mary is a mother of seven and has worked as a professional fisher. She has proven to be a strong statewide candidate, outperforming expectations in past elections and building broad appeal among Alaska voters. She beat Sarah Palin twice. In 2024, when Kamala Harris lost Alaska by 13 points, Mary only lost her seat by fewer than three points.
JANELLE STELSON (PA-10)
Janelle Stelson is an Emmy Award-winning former television news anchor who spent more than 25 years at her local TV station before entering public service. She is running for Congress to protect reproductive freedom, lower health care costs, defend Social Security and Medicare, and stand up for working families.
PA-10 Congressional District is one of the nation’s most competitive House races. Janelle is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Perry in this critical battleground district. Perry, who is best known for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, narrowly won reelection in 2024 by just over one percentage point. Democrats see this district as a top pickup opportunity in the fight to regain the House majority.
With the race rated a true toss-up, Janelle has a strong opportunity to flip this seat, but she needs our support to win and help Democrats take back the House. This is one of the most expensive races in PA.
MARCY KAPTUR (OH-9)
Marcy Kaptur is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, first taking office in 1983. She has always faced competitive elections in this district, but she has always proven to be a scrappy fighter. However, in 2026, she is facing her toughest battle yet. Marcy is running against an opponent that she beat by just 2,382 votes in the 2024 election. Redistricting made the district more favorable to Republicans, and they are mounting a massive effort to defeat her.
Her district has been called “snake by the lake” for its long, narrow borders along Lake Erie. It has about 54% Republican voters to 45% Democratic voters. Kaptur, though, is a proven overperformer. In 2022, she won by 13 points in a district that Trump would carry by 7 points.
One of her key issues includes investing in domestic and renewable energy independence and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem by banning drilling and water diversion.
Support JACPAC’s IMPACT ’26 candidates and help send leaders who reflect our values and priorities.
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