2026 Legislative Session Dates
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Key Takeaways:

  • MAHA endorsed candidates 2026 are emerging as a force in Republican primary elections 2026, with groups like MAHA Action backing Trump-aligned contenders in races across Louisiana, Kentucky, Iowa, and other states. Takeaway
  • The Make America Healthy Again movement expanded beyond food policy in 2025 to include vaccines, reproductive health, and education, positioning itself as a top Republican policy priority heading into the midterms.
  • State MAHA legislation achieved wins in Kentucky and Louisiana last year, with Kentucky creating the first state MAHA commission and Louisiana enacting a comprehensive law (LA SB 14) covering school nutrition and product labeling.
  • This November's elections will feature 36 gubernatorial races and over 6,000 state legislative contests where MAHA backing could influence outcomes, particularly in states where the movement gained traction in 2025.

As election season ramps up, Republican candidates nationwide are vying for a new badge in 2026: “MAHA-endorsed.” The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement played a key role in helping President Trump secure victory in the 2024 presidential election, and Republicans are hoping MAHA will help replicate those results in the 2026 midterm elections.

In 2025, the MAHA public health movement surged at the state level, rapidly emerging as one of the Republican Party’s leading policy priorities. What began with a focus on food and nutrition legislation has since expanded to include vaccines, reproductive health, agriculture, education, and other issues. Now, candidates are seeking to harness that momentum as they position themselves for success in the 2026 midterm elections. Tony Lyons, president of MAHA Action, said the group plans to support candidates backed by President Trump to achieve “the best possible outcome for public health, for the issues that MAHA has been backing over the last year.” MAHA Action is a 501c(4) organization created in 2024 to support and further Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s public health goals in ending chronic illnesses across the country.

MAHA Movement Impact on 2026 Federal Primary Elections

MAHA backing is expected to play a significant role, especially in incumbent races, as early state primaries approach (Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas hold primaries shortly).

Louisiana Senate Race Highlights MAHA Coalition Influence

In Louisiana, incumbent U.S. Senator Cassidy (R) has drawn criticism for opposing new childhood vaccine guidelines issued by HHS Secretary Kennedy. In response, MAHA-aligned groups are recruiting a Trump-backed primary challenger, Representative Julia Letlow (R), and mobilizing fundraising efforts against him.

Kentucky Primary Shows Complex MAHA Alliance Dynamics

However, it appears support from the MAHA coalition is not solely dependent on alignment with the President’s Administration. Some races, like the Kentucky U.S. House 4th District primary, will see MAHA incumbent Representative Thomas Massie (R) face Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein (R). As we know, the political trends at the federal level tend to make their way down to the state level as well.

State Level MAHA Legislative Victories in Kentucky and Louisiana

Kentucky and Louisiana were states where the MAHA movement achieved some of its largest victories last year, and are likely to play a key role in the states’ 2026 election cycles. Kentucky successfully created and implemented the first state MAHA commission. The task force met monthly during the interim legislative session in Kentucky and developed recommendations for future state MAHA policies. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) hosted HHS Secretary Kennedy, the leader of the MAHA movement, for the formal signing of a comprehensive MAHA law (LA SB 14) in June 2025. The Louisiana law addresses food nutrition in schools, product labeling, and continuing medical education requirements.


MAHA Endorsements Shape 2026 State Elections Nationwide

This November will see 36 gubernatorial elections and over 6,000 state legislative races. Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn (R) quickly secured an endorsement from MAHA Action shortly after launching his campaign. Lahn is positioning himself as a champion of agriculture, improving statewide health, and personal medical freedom. The D.C.-based MAHA Institute announced endorsements for several state legislative candidates, including Georgia State Senate candidate Denise Burns (R), North Carolina State House candidate Dr. Ralph Carter (R), and Texas State House candidate Lacey Hull (R). The organization has continued to expand its slate of endorsed contenders, most recently adding Texas State House candidate Jackie Schlegel (R).

MultiState continues to track and monitor MAHA activity at the state-level. For more information, use our resource, Toolkit: State MAHA Initiatives.

Track Health Care Policy

The ever-evolving state health policy landscape will continue to influence how health care organizations make business decisions. MultiState’s team pulls from decades of expertise to help you effectively navigate and engage. MultiState’s team understands the issues, knows the key players and organizations, and we harness that expertise to help our clients effectively navigate and engage on their policy priorities. We offer customized strategic solutions to help you develop and execute a proactive multistate agenda focused on your company’s goals. Learn more about our Health Care Policy Practice.