Percentage of veterans serving in incoming congressional class drops to 15% – Military Times

Percentage of veterans serving in incoming congressional class drops to 15%  Military Times

In the 1970s, almost three-quarters of the members of Congress had served in the military. At least 57 veterans will serve in the 120th Congress, and another 20 are in races too close to call, with several veterans vying for another seat, according to an analysis by Military Times. But even if all veterans win their seats in the nail-biters, the percentage of veterans serving in Congress is likely to be at its lowest point since at least the 1970s — at around 15%, down from 19% this year and significantly lower than the 27% in 2001. As of Thursday, at least 21 Democrat and 32 Republican veterans have won seats in the U.S.

House. Of those, at least 14 veterans will be new to the chamber while at least 43 will retain their seats. At least 13 veterans will serve in the Senate, with Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., a former Alabama National Guard member, winning the state’s open Senate seat and one seat still undecided. By mid-day Thursday, former Marine and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska trailed former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola by 637 votes with 78% of the ballots counted. Should Sullivan prevail, there would be 14 veterans in the upper chamber. Notable newcomers to the House include retired Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, who was fired