MJ Hegar | 31st District, Texas

Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar served on the frontlines as a helicopter pilot in the Air Force and Air National Guard. In 2009, her helicopter was shot down by enemy fire and, despite being wounded, she helped save the lives of her crew. For her actions, MJ earned a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device, making her the second woman in history to receive the honor. After serving three tours in Afghanistan, she worked with the Pentagon and advocacy groups to end the ban on women serving in combat roles - making our military and country stronger.

Now as the mother of two young boys, MJ is running for Congress in the district she was raised in to bring change to Washington and continue fighting to protect Texas families.

Abigail Spanberger | 7th District, Virginia

Abigail began her career in public service as a federal law enforcement officer working narcotics and money laundering cases with the US Postal Inspection Service. Following her love of country, public service, and languages, Abigail joined the CIA as an Operations Officer where she traveled and lived abroad collecting intelligence, managing assets, and overseeing high-profile programs in service to the United States. In 2014, Abigail left the CIA and moved back to her hometown in Virginia to work in the private sector. At that time, she started a Girl Scout troop and began advocacy work with Moms Demand Action.

Abigail is running to represent Virginia’s 7th District because she believes we need leaders in Washington who are working every day to make the lives of their constituents better. As a member of Congress, Abigail will bridge divides by listening to all sides and work for solutions that serve the people of the district, rather than escalating everything to a partisan fight. Her commitment to Virginia’s working families include the following priorities: safeguarding Social Security and Medicare into the future, fighting to ensure that every person has access to affordable and quality healthcare, addressing gun violence in our communities and protecting our children in schools, strengthening our public education system and providing more opportunities for job training and apprenticeships, promoting economic growth that leads to higher wages and better jobs, protecting women’s healthcare, pursuing infrastructure programs such as broadband internet, and legislating in support of renewable energy efforts.

Josh Welle | 4th District, New Jersey

Josh Welle believes a life of service is a life of purpose, and that it is a “New Day for Democracy.” Elected officials should focus on kitchen-table issues, reinforcing to voters that a proactive and honest government will help everyday people, no matter their race, religion, or where they come from. 

Josh is an Afghanistan veteran and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Jersey, he graduated the U.S. Naval Academy after 9/11. On active duty, he led missions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In 2015, after earning the rank of Commander, Josh transitioned to the U.S. Navy Reserve, now serving at Earle Naval Weapons Station. Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, he attended graduate school and founded a software company with other veterans developing workflow efficiency solutions. 

Welle is a problem-solver and is ready to lead in Washington having earned master’s degrees in Public Administration from Harvard University and Business Administration and International Relations from University of Maryland, College Park. As a Congressman, Josh will advance common sense gun reform for schools and public spaces, increased access to universal health care, and ensure economic justice for all.