MAHA Candidates Suffer Major Losses in 2026 Midterms
Candidates endorsed by the Make America Healthy Again movement lost more than half of their 2026 midterm bids despite maintaining influence within the Trump administration.
Candidates backed by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement suffered significant defeats in the 2026 midterm elections. More than half of the 24 gubernatorial and Congressional candidates endorsed by the MAHA Action PAC lost their races, including Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton, Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn, and Rhode Island House candidate Vic Mellor.
Despite these losses, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other movement allies maintain high-level positions within the Trump administration. Kennedy serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services, while Jay Bhattacharya leads the National Institutes of Health and Kyle Diamantas serves as acting FDA Commissioner. Kennedy has identified White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as the strongest supporter of the movement within the administration.
The movement faces a shifting political landscape as Democrats take control of Congress. Internal tensions have also emerged, with former adviser Calley Means accusing the White House of permitting corporate interests to undermine MAHA goals. However, a May 2026 KFF poll suggests the movement retains a broad base of support, with 41% of American adults favoring its objectives.
