Former Priority Candidates

Author, columnist, and former CNN political analyst John Avlon ran for Congress in New York’s 1st District, challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota in one of the country’s most closely watched House races. A first-time candidate, Avlon brought a message of bipartisan problem-solving and democratic renewal. Despite strong fundraising and national attention, Avlon was unable to overcome the district’s Republican lean in the 2024 general election.

In August 2022, Liz Cheney faced a challenging primary against a Trump-endorsed opponent, Harriet Hageman, despite previously winning her races by wide margins. Throughout her campaign, Cheney remained steadfast in her commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Rebecca Cooke ran in one of the most competitive House races in the country, narrowly losing to Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in 2024 by just under 3 percentage points. A small business owner and first-generation college graduate, Cooke positioned herself as a working-class voice for rural Wisconsin. Despite Republican advantages in the district, she outperformed many on the Democratic ticket and emphasized restoring economic opportunity, protecting family farms, and defending democratic values in a shifting political landscape.

Phil Heimlich, a former prosecutor and county commissioner, ran in Ohio’s 2nd congressional district as the only anti-MAGA Republican in a crowded 2024 primary field. In a strongly conservative district, Heimlich distinguished himself by refusing to support Trump’s re-election and emphasizing the importance of the rule of law. While he did not win the March primary, his candidacy underscored the presence of pro-democracy voices within the Republican Party.

Adam Kinzinger announced his retirement from Congress after redistricting in Illinois placed him in the same district as a Trump-aligned incumbent. One of only two Republicans to serve on the January 6th Select Committee, Kinzinger prioritized constitutional accountability over party politics. 

Mary Peltola made history as the first Alaska Native elected to Congress when she won the August 2022 special election to fill Alaska’s at-large seat, defeating former Governor Sarah Palin. During her term, she served on the Natural Resources and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees and was a leading voice in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and as Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

A former State Representative, tribal court judge, and executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Peltola brought a pragmatic, collaborative approach to Washington. Though she lost her seat in the 2024 general election, her service remains a notable example of bridge-building leadership in a closely divided Congress.

Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor and national security attorney, ran competitive campaigns for California’s 41st congressional district in 2022 and 2024—one of the most expensive House races in the country. Despite out-fundraising his opponent and gaining national support, he narrowly lost both contests to long-time incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert. A pragmatic Democrat with bipartisan appeal, Rollins focused on rule of law, public safety, and government accountability. He announced in 2025 that he would not run again in 2026.