5 Black Candidates Poised for Office in 2026

The 2026 midterm elections present a critical opportunity for Black men and women seeking to bring about meaningful change. With numerous open seats and high stakes surrounding issues like voting rights, federal programs, and redistricting, the election of dedicated public servants is more important than ever. Organizations like Run for Something Civics are championing this wave of change through initiatives like National Public Office Day.

This year, a fresh cohort of Black Americans is stepping up, ready to represent their communities and drive policy shifts. From local City Halls to the halls of Capitol Hill, these five candidates are preparing to run for office and make a significant difference. Here’s a closer look at their backgrounds, inspirations, and platforms.

Meet the Candidates

Austin Edwards: Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey

Austin Edwards, a 35-year-old civil rights lawyer, activist, and current Trenton school board member and NAACP president, is setting his sights on becoming the Mayor of Trenton. Born and raised in the city, Edwards feels Trenton has been overlooked in policy and funding decisions. His platform focuses on revitalizing the city by bringing more jobs, supporting small businesses with necessary resources, implementing targeted workforce development, and ensuring homeowners and renters can thrive in a transparent City Hall.

Everton Blair: Congress, Georgia’s 13th District

At 33, Everton Blair is challenging incumbent Rep. David Scott in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District Democratic primary. With a background in education and a history of being the youngest-ever member and first person of color elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education, Blair is a formidable candidate. If elected, he would be the first Black openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from the South. His campaign priorities include strengthening public education, affordable housing, healthcare, economic development, and protecting women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

Priscilla Williams-Till: U.S. Senate, Mississippi

Priscilla Williams-Till, cousin of Emmett Till, is running for the U.S. Senate in Mississippi as a Democrat, challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Inspired by Hyde-Smith’s controversial 2018 remarks regarding public hangings, Williams-Till aims to combat hate in Mississippi. Her campaign focuses on critical issues such as healthcare access, quality education, climate change, and criminal justice reform.

Jump Shepherd: U.S. Senate, Illinois

Jump Shepherd, 35, is running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois with a unique background as a former educator, astronomer, and current union electrician. Describing himself as a grassroots candidate from a working-class Chicago family, Shepherd’s platform is bold: ending the “pink tax,” implementing a 92% incremental tax on billionaires, eliminating student debt, promoting national affordable housing, and codifying reproductive freedom. He frames the election as a fight between “oligarchs vs. you.”

N’Kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas: U.S. Senate, Oklahoma

N’Kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas, a nurse and active-duty military spouse of Black, white, and Native American (Chickasaw) heritage, is running for the U.S. Senate in Oklahoma. Her experiences as a nurse witnessing healthcare system strain and facing discrimination, along with advocating for her son with Level 2 autism, fuel her campaign. Thomas champions improved healthcare access, protecting women’s rights, investing in infrastructure, supporting agriculture, ensuring quality education (especially for children with special needs), and advocating for civil rights, LGBTQIA+ equality, domestic violence survivors, and tribal sovereignty.