Democrats’ 2026 path to victory in the House could depend on people like retired Marine JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06), former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam or former Ukraine ambassador Bridget Brink (MI-07), former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07), former Army officer Cait Conley (NY-17) and retired Navy commander and former Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02) — though there are plenty of Democratic challengers who hold elective office too.