The upcoming midterm election, which takes place in the middle of the four‑year presidential term, is less than two months away.
Voters across the country will decide who will represent their respective states in Congress and who will lead their states in the governor’s office and state legislatures. Nearly every congressional seat is on the ballot on Nov. 3.
One major voting bloc candidates often focus on is Black voters, hoping to speak to issues they care about most.
So whether Black candidates on the ballot can relay their political agendas and campaign messages to not just Black voters but people overall will be determined at the ballot box. Though more Black candidates are running for office, five Black individuals are hoping to win enough votes to represent their constituents.
Overall, Black political representation can help push for health equity and address inequities in health care and community care policies. Diverse leaders can influence change and hold decision‑making power to curb issues such as maternal mortality disparities, medical debt, and more.
Depending on your state, you may see these five key Black candidates, some of whom hope to make history, on your ballot. For those who care about health care and health‑related issues, a major question is how each candidate’s campaign connects to the broader fight for a healthier, more equitable future for Black families.
For a long time, civil rights leaders have fought for people of color’s right to participate in the voting process. Advocates continue to stress the importance of exercising this right in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
Here are five Black candidates vying for support in the 2026 midterm elections.
Keisha Lance Bottoms – Georgia Governor
In her recent debate with GOP gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson, Bottoms came out swinging, many of her supporters have said. She is running a highly competitive campaign to become Georgia’s first Black governor.
Bottoms challenged Jackson on issues like data‑center concerns, affordability for low- and middle‑income families, and rural access to services. She has been a strong advocate for Medicaid expansion, a major ongoing debate in Georgia.
Her CARE Plan for a Healthier Georgia includes expanding Medicaid eligibility, lowering premiums, creating a Georgia Rx Savings Board to reduce prescription drug costs, and strengthening rural health care through telehealth and workforce investments.
Her platform also includes eliminating preventable maternal deaths and restoring reproductive health protections by repealing Georgia’s 2022 abortion law. After the first debate, Jackson declined to show up for the next one.
Byron Donalds – Florida Governor
A Black conservative known for his close ties to President Donald Trump, Donalds is hoping to win enough votes to become Florida’s first Black governor. He currently represents Florida in the U.S. House.
Donalds has centered his health care message on lowering costs. His “Your Doctor, Your Price” plan would require providers to post real cash prices for their top 20 services, reduce surprise billing, remove prior‑authorization barriers, and allow patients to choose any licensed provider without network lock‑ins. He also has proposed aligning Florida’s prescription drug program with federal pricing standards.
Donalds has criticized the Affordable Care Act for rising premiums and deductibles and says price transparency is his main strategy for helping families afford care. But the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has helped many low-income families gain access to subsidized health insurance plans.
He has also said childhood vaccine mandates should be reviewed with lawmakers and supports parental choice in vaccination schedules.
Angie Nixon – Florida U.S. Senate
Nixon, a state representative from Jacksonville, has been running a historic U.S. Senate campaign. She can often be seen on social media dancing at events, talking directly to Floridians, and showing her authentic self.
Nixon’s health care platform is considered to be one of the most expansive in the race. She supports Medicare for All: comprehensive coverage, including dental, vision, hearing, mental health, reproductive care, and prescription drugs, and the cancellation of medical debt nationwide.
The Jacksonville Democrat has criticized incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody for votes she says would end health care for hundreds of thousands of Floridians, including Medicaid recipients. Nixon frequently speaks about community‑based health solutions, and has been traversing the state in her vehicle with her campaign team.
She has visited various venues in Tampa, South Florida, and Tallahassee, and has appeared on radio programs such as The Breakfast Club to discuss her campaign platform.
David Crowley – Wisconsin Governor
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is seeking to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor. Crowley has centered his campaign on affordability, community health, and expanding access to care.
Crowley proposes opening BadgerCare as a public option for every Wisconsin household, allowing families who earn too much to qualify today to buy affordable coverage. He argues this would create competition and lower costs statewide.
His health care plan also includes expanding mobile health care outreach, increasing addiction treatment access, supporting home‑ and community‑based services, and implementing a statewide “No Wrong Door” model so people can get care wherever they enter the system.
Crowley has emphasized protecting reproductive freedom and evidence‑based care.
Aaron Ford – Nevada Governor
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is aiming for a historic promotion to his state’s governor’s mansion. Ford has built his campaign around affordability, consumer protection, and health care access.
Ford’s “Affordable Nevada” health care agenda includes capping prescription drug prices at Medicare‑negotiated levels, canceling medical debt through nonprofit partnerships, cracking down on price gouging and fraudulent billing, and requiring pharmacy benefit managers to pass rebate savings directly to consumers.
He also pledges to protect Medicaid from federal cuts and ensure Nevadans do not lose coverage under new eligibility and work requirements.
Ford has a long record of holding drug companies accountable, securing more than $1.2 billion in opioid settlements as attorney general.
Go Vote
Remember that you can vote early by mail or in person in many states, or you can wait until Election Day to cast your ballot.
For Black Americans, voting for candidates who best represent their interests and plan to address health issues affecting communities of color is one way to drive change. Health care policy can be influenced by elected officials, who can address concerns such as prescription drug costs, access to affordable insurance, maternal health and medical care in underserved communities. These issues matter to many Black families.
Health advocates say electing leaders to Congress, governors’ offices, state legislatures, and local offices who recognize minority health concerns and have plans to address them can help advance policies aimed at improving health outcomes and access to care for historically underserved communities.