The stakes have never been higher for our food, water, and climate. We’re facing an AI data center boom that is skyrocketing our energy bills and using up our water. We’re eating, drinking, and breathing plastic pollution every day. Greedy corporations are contaminating our food and water while wreaking havoc on our climate. And Trump’s authoritarian actions are harming our communities and our democracy. 

Nevertheless, we face a key opportunity to get champions in the halls of power and change the political calculus for the better. In the November midterms, Food & Water Action is going all-in on several key races across the country to flip the House. “Putting Democrats back in charge of the House will give us a lever of accountability over Trump that we just don’t have right now,” says Sam Bernhardt, Food & Water Action’s Political Director. 

In March, we sat down with Sam and Mitch Jones, Deputy Director of Food & Water Action, for a virtual event to discuss our unique, proven approach to elections and how you can make a difference.

Our Strategy for Winning Back the House

There will be thousands of names up and down the ballot this November — so how do we decide where we put our efforts? Of course, our endorsees need to be aligned on our issues of safe food, clean water, and a livable climate. 

We also focus our endorsements in top battleground districts, where the smallest of margins — just a few thousand or a few hundred voters — could flip a seat. For the midterms, Food & Water Action identified four priority districts. By flipping these four districts, we can just about ensure Democrats will take back the House. 

Finally, we work in places where we want to build power long-term or where we have power already. For example, two of our priority districts are in Iowa, where our team has been fighting for clean water for years. 

We’ve exposed how factory farm and pesticide pollution have driven the state’s water quality crisis — a top issue of concern for Iowa voters. With local groups on the ground, we’ve stopped the state Cancer Gag Act, which would have prevented cancer patients from suing pesticide corporations. 

And now, with three — soon four — organizers on the ground, we’re preparing to flip the state’s 1st and 3rd Congressional districts. As Mitch said, 

Our organizers and volunteers live in these districts. We have a deep understanding of what people there need, desire, and hope for. And after election day, we don’t just leave. We work hand-in-hand with the champions that we elect — and the people that they serve — so we know they’ll stand up for the things that they said they would. 

Our Unique, Winning Approach to Elections

An endorsement from Food & Water Action isn’t just a bona fide for a candidate’s website. We bring people power to these races and an approach that has been proven to win. 

Importantly, we’re committed to face-to-face organizing. We knock on doors, we make phone calls, and we have one-on-one conversations with voters. We talk to them about what’s important to them and how the candidates we’re supporting can make a meaningful difference in their lives.

With this approach, we’re not just getting one person to vote — we’re getting voters excited, so they talk about the election with their neighbors and families and communities. This ripple effect is vital. 

And we don’t only do this with our regular paid staff. Well-trained and well-informed volunteers form the foundation of our work. In the 2024 election season, volunteers helped us knock on more than 65,000 doors and call over half a million voters. These numbers made a huge difference in 2024, where 28 of our endorsed candidates won their races.

This is only possible with your support. Your generosity powers the resources we need to train volunteers; the lawn signs and rally posters that lend visual impact to our work; the texts and phone calls we send to get out the vote; and so much more. 

With you, we know we have the strategy and people power to take back the House!

Hear More About How You Can Build Power and Take Back the House

Watch the full event recording to learn more about:

• Food & Water Action’s past victories in Pennsylvania and Maryland;
• Our two other priority districts in Pennsylvania and New York;
• How our electoral efforts work hand-in-hand with our efforts toward policy change;
• How far your gift will go in electing champions; 
• How we keep candidates accountable to us when they get elected; 
• and much more!

Learn More and Take Action!

• Check out Food & Water Action’s 2026 Midterm Report.
• Read about Food & Water Action’s work winning grassroots victories and changing New Jersey politics.
• Here’s our list of 2026 endorsements. Keep an eye out as we keep this page updated!
• Members now have the ability to provide input on our endorsements and priorities. Become a member now by signing up for a monthly gift!
• Volunteer to elect climate champions by signing up for our volunteer team. Together, we’ll flip critical U.S. House seats by calling over 100,000 voters and knocking on over 150,000 doors!