Priority Candidates

Challenger (D, NY-01)

John Avlon is an author, columnist, and commentator. He was a senior political analyst and anchor at CNN and previously was editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018. He is the author of the books Lincoln & the Fight for Peace, Independent Nation, Wingnuts, and Washington’s Farewell. Avlon served as chief speechwriter to New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He earned a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Incumbent (D, NC-01)

Congressman Don Davis has dedicated his life to service as a veteran, educator, minister, and public servant. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1994, serving as a commissioned officer for eight years. He then became an assistant professor at East Carolina University, teaching national security affairs, military history, and leadership. At 29, Davis became the youngest Mayor of Snow Hill, serving seven years. Elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2008, he served six terms. In 2022, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He holds degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Central Michigan University, and East Carolina University.

Challenger (D, NY-04)

In 2017, Laura became the first Democrat to be elected Hempstead Town Supervisor in 112 years. As Supervisor, Laura managed a budget of nearly $500 million and led the operations of all town departments. Laura’s interest in public service grew during her time at Georgetown University, where she was selected to be a George Baker Scholar. After graduating, Laura returned to New York and began volunteering to assist people living with HIV/AIDS through GMHC during the height of the AIDS epidemic. This same drive later brought her to Kolkata, where she worked for St. Mother Teresa in her home for the dying. Laura attended law school at Georgetown Law Center and NYU School of Law. After graduating, she began working as a litigator with Cahill Gordon & Reindel, LLP. She later joined the Westerman firm in Nassau County. She later joined the faculty at Hofstra University as an adjunct professor of law.

Incumbent (D, ME-02)

Congressman Golden is a Marine, former State Representative, and former International Representative for Paxton International. Jared served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning home, Jared used his veterans’ benefits to earn a B.A. in politics and history from Bates College. During his time in the Maine House of Representatives, he was chosen by his peers to serve as the Democratic Assistant Majority Leader. Golden currently serves on the Small Business and the Armed Services Committees, and is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and a Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Incumbent (D, AK-AL)

Congresswoman Peltola is in her first full term after winning an August 2022 special election to fill Alaska’s at-large district. Growing up in the state, she is a former State Representative, served as a tribal court judge, and as executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Peltola studied elementary education at the University of Northern Colorado. Peltola serves on the Natural Resources and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees, and is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and a Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Incumbent (D, WA-03)

Congresswoman Perez is a fifth-generation Washingtonian in her first term in Congress. She previously served as a member of the Underwood Soil and Water District Conservation Board of Supervisors, the Washington State Democratic Party Executive Committee, and co-founded an auto repair and machine shop with her husband. She earned a B.A. from Reed College. She serves on the Agriculture and Small Business Committees, and is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and a Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Incumbent (D, OH-13)

Congresswoman Sykes is in her first term in Congress after previously serving in the Ohio House of Representatives for eight years, two of them as Minority Leader. She earned a B.A. from Kent State University and a J.D. and M.P.H. from the University of Florida. She serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure and the Science, Space & Technology Committees, and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition and the Problem Solvers Caucus.

Challenger (D, NY-19)

Josh Riley is a fifth-generation Upstate New York native who has worked as an attorney in the private and governmental sectors. He was a staff assistant to former Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor, a clerk on the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and a general counsel to former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Riley worked for the law firms Boies, Schiller & Flexner and Jenner & Block LLP. He earned a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and a J.D. from Harvard University.

Challenger (D, CA-41)

Will is a former federal prosecutor having served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, focused on counterterrorism and counterintelligence cases in Southern California. Will also has past professional experience working at the law firm Quinn Emanuel and as an aide to former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Columbia University. Will was supported by Leadership Now and WelcomePAC in his first campaign in 2022.

Incumbent (D, NY-18)

Congressman Ryan is a fifth-generation Hudson Valley native in his first term in Congress. Ryan served two combat tours in Iraq, earning two Bronze Stars and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his 2022 election to Congress, Ryan served the community that raised him as Ulster County Executive. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He earned a B.S. from the United States Military Academy and an M.A. in security studies from Georgetown University.

Challenger (D, CA-27)

George was NASA's Chief of Staff during the Obama Administration, playing a pivotal role in reforming the agency. He also served as a member of then-President-elect Obama’s transition team. After his tenure at NASA, George became the CEO of Virgin Galactic, where he raised $2.5B for the company. He also co-chaired the Antelope Valley Covid-19 Task Force, an ad hoc group that brought together NASA, industry, local government, and the Antelope Valley College to support front-line nurses and doctors at the height of the pandemic. George earned his B.A. at Princeton University and his M.Sc. at the University of Cambridge.

Challenger (D, WI-03)

As a small business owner and nonprofit leader, Rebecca Cooke has focused her career on building community and serving others. Born and raised on an Eau Claire dairy farm, Rebecca knows the economic and social challenges facing small towns and rural communities. Looking to help other local entrepreneurs she founded the Red Letter Grant in 2016, a nonprofit that supports and empowers female entrepreneurs by providing start-up capital, technical assistance, and authentic networking opportunities throughout a ten-county region of western Wisconsin. Rebecca works with other business leaders and members of both parties to provide opportunities for Wisconsin residents. Rebecca graduated from the University St. Thomas.