Stand Up for Science-backed candidates win 15 House races

Candidates endorsed by Stand Up for Science won 15 of 20 congressional races in the Nov. 3 midterms, including 14 seats that flipped from Republican to Democrat. The group says the results bolster its push for evidence-based policymaking and restoring research funding heading into January.

Why it matters: - Stand Up for Science says the results give Congress more allies for evidence-based policymaking and scientific integrity. - The wins expand the group’s footprint in Washington as lawmakers prepare to convene in January. - Fourteen of the 15 winning races flipped from Republican to Democrat, signaling movement in districts many observers considered difficult. - The endorsed candidates won in red districts at a 75% rate, according to the group.

What happened: - Candidates endorsed by Stand Up for Science won 15 of 20 congressional races in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. - The winners span districts across 10 states, including Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Georgia. - The endorsed slate includes Jamie Ager (NC-11), Teresa Benitez-Thompson (NV-02), Mitchell Berman (WI-01), Jasmine Clark (GA-13), Zach Dembo (KY-06), Leticia Gutierrez (TX-09), Jessica Killin (CO-05), Kristina Knickerbocker (OH-10), Nancy Lacore (SC-01), Eileen Laubacher (CO-04), Will Lawrence (MI-07), Don Leonard (OH-15), Katy Padilla Stout (TX-23), Brian Poindexter (OH-07) and Raymond Smith Jr. (NC-03). - Stand Up for Science released the final results on Nov. 13, 2026.

The details: - The group said the campaigns benefited from months of independent organizing and on-the-ground work. - Support included Science Victory Fund-backed ads and billboards. - Phone banks reached more than 46,600 voters. - Vincent Vertuccio, spokesperson for Stand Up for Science and political director of Science Victory Fund, said many of the newly elected candidates won seats that pundits viewed as impossible. - Vertuccio said several races were decided by margins of 1% or less. - Vertuccio also said Science Victory Fund was one of the only groups to devote independent expenditure resources and deploy volunteers in some of those contests. - The Science Victory Fund is an independent expenditure-only political action committee focused on pro-science candidates and policy. - The PAC launched in September 2026. - Delawalla and Vertuccio said they are available for comment and media appearances.

Between the lines: - The results suggest science policy can be a workable campaign message in competitive districts, not just in safe blue seats. - The group is trying to turn campaign activity into governing influence by pairing electoral wins with a policy agenda. - Colette Delawalla said the organization wants to work with the newly elected members of Congress on restoring research funding and scientific integrity. - The emphasis on independent expenditures shows the group aimed to shape races without direct candidate coordination.

What's next: - Stand Up for Science plans to work with the newly elected members of Congress when they convene in January. - The organization says its agenda includes restoring research funding and scientific integrity. - Science Victory Fund is likely to remain part of the group’s election strategy as it backs pro-science candidates in future races.

The bottom line: - Stand Up for Science turned a narrow endorsement slate into a strong midterm showing, and it now has a clearer path to press its science-first agenda on Capitol Hill.