November 28, 2025
By Mica Soellner
Democrats are recruiting dozens of doctors and nurses to run for office and give their counter-messaging against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a shot in the arm.
These Democratic candidates are highlighting their opposition to Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. The controversial push, endorsed by President Donald Trump, favors cuts in Medicaid and health care spending, changes to how vaccines are tested, aims to eliminate food dyes, and investigates the causes of autism.
There are 28 medical professionals serving in the House, but just nine are Democrats, according to the House Clerk’s office. The Senate only has four medical professionals — all Republicans.
If Democratic candidates are successful, they could narrow the gap with Republican medical professionals and give the party new voices to speak about health care. Democrats only need three seats to regain the House, so a successful run by just handful of doctors-turned-candidates could shift control.
More than 50 candidates with a medical background are running for Congress or statewide this cycle, according to 314 Action, a group that seeks to elect Democrats with science or medical backgrounds. At least half a dozen Democrats are running in competitive seats.
“RFK Jr. is our greatest recruitment tool for doctors,” said Erik Polyak, 314 Action’s executive director. “With health care on the line for millions of Americans—2026 will be the health care election, and Democratic doctors and scientists are ready to lead Americans out of the mess that Donald Trump and Republicans have created.”
The focus on Kennedy — who is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and the eldest son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy — extends the rare break for the party that has long revered the Massachusetts political dynasty.
Making the Case
Candidates rarely focus on the HHS secretary during their campaign, but Kennedy’s name recognition has made him a target. And Democratic contenders are showing few concerns about bashing the secretary, regardless of his family’s Democratic ties.
Most of the Kennedy clan has opposed Kennedy at HHS. Kennedy’s cousin, Jack Schlossberg, is running for Congress in an open New York City-area seat and has campaigned against his relative’s leadership at the agency.
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former US President John F. Kennedy, is running against RFK Jr.’s policy platform in his House bid.
Meanwhile, HHS has defended Kennedy’s oversight of the federal health agencies and hit Democrats over the Covid-19 pandemic.
HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard said policies such as mask mandates and vaccine passports supported by Democrats have weakened trust in public health.
“They now present themselves as defenders of science after decades of overlooking the nation’s worsening health,” Hilliard said in a statement. “The American people supported transparency, accountability, and a system that restores decision-making authority to individuals. That is what HHS and Secretary Kennedy are delivering.”
But Democrats are aggressively continuing their crusade against Kennedy.
In January, House Majority Forward — the main Democratic leadership-aligned dark money group — launched nine Kennedy-focused digital ads against Republicans in swing districts.
Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician challenging vulnerable Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), said running against Kennedy’s agenda has proven to be one of his most effective methods of fundraising.
“Parents are really nervous and even scared about what RFK Jr. is doing,” Pan told Bloomberg Government. “There’s a reason his popularity is actually even lower than Donald Trump’s.”
Many of those candidates are directly taking on Kennedy, who has been one of Trump’s most visible Cabinet members, often sparring with Democratic lawmakers over the MAHA agenda.
Dr. Tina Shah, who is challenging Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) , said Kennedy’s agenda is “unprecedented,” and his rise was one of her motivations for running for Congress. Shah cited Kennedy’s firing of vaccine advisers earlier this year among her top concerns.
“As a practicing doctor, I just can’t take it anymore,” Shah said. ” We need to make sure we hold RFK accountable.”
Kennnedy’s HHS has also sought to cut funding for vaccine research and other research grants as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal government.
Dr. Amish Shah, who is seeking a rematch against Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), said cuts to scientific research and grants have alarmed him.
“We want to keep progressing towards cures, towards better treatment,” Amish Shah said. “When you cut the funding for a lot of that research, it has us asking why are you doing that?”
Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), who is among the nine doctors in her party serving in the House, said she has been meeting with multiple medical professionals making runs next year. Schrier cited public trust in physicians as a reason they will make compelling candidates.
The push isn’t only coming in House races.
Dr. Annie Andrews, who is running against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-.S.C.), has focused her campaign on health care too. She said that as Kennedy’s policies come into focus for voters, they are increasingly unpopular, and she has used Graham’s vote to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS secretary against him.
Kennedy was narrowly confirmed by the Senate, 52-48.
“It’s a deeply irresponsible vote that I plan to hold Lindsey Graham accountable for, and I plan to continue to campaign on the absurdity of RFK Jr. ascending to lead our nation’s health care system,” Andrews said.