The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has published its 2026 assessments of U.S. Congress members and a list of candidates it endorses in the upcoming elections, prioritizing the protection of Armenia’s and Artsakh’s interests.
The committee conducted a comprehensive assessment of every member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, applying more than 70 criteria, according to the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Armenian Cause Central Office.
For the 2026 election cycle, the ANCA has endorsed a total of 63 candidates running for the Senate and House of Representatives.
The organization established a series of policy priorities that served as the basis for both evaluating incumbent lawmakers and determining its position on candidates seeking election. One key priority is holding Azerbaijan accountable for the depopulation of Artsakh’s Armenian population. The committee also emphasized protecting the right of forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians to return safely to their homes.
Particular attention has been given to demands for the release of Armenian prisoners and hostages held in Baku.
The ANCA has prioritized strengthening the sovereignty and security of the Republic of Armenia while seeking to deepen the Armenian-U.S. partnership.
The organization’s policy agenda also includes restricting U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan and ensuring full enforcement of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
Another major priority is imposing sanctions on Azerbaijani officials, including through mechanisms provided under the Global Magnitsky Act.
The committee also continues to prioritize strengthening recognition of the Armenian Genocide and promoting initiatives to raise public awareness of that historical event.
The methodology used to assess members of Congress covered various aspects of their legislative activities.
Specifically, the evaluation considered their support for legislative initiatives concerning Armenia and Artsakh, their participation in relevant congressional letters, and their involvement in the Congressional Armenian Caucus.
Lawmakers’ public statements about the Armenian Genocide and the extent of their cooperation with the Armenian American community also influenced their assessments.
The list of endorsed candidates includes representatives of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
The ANCA emphasized that its candidate selections were guided not by party affiliation but by candidates’ positions on Armenia and Artsakh, as well as their concrete actions on those issues.
The organization identified several electoral districts where competitive races are considered particularly significant for the Armenian American community’s political priorities.
These include U.S. Senate races in New Hampshire and Michigan, as well as the House election in Texas’s 28th Congressional District.
In that Texas district, the committee has announced its opposition to incumbent Congressman Henry Cuellar’s candidacy. The organization cited bribery charges brought against Cuellar in a case involving Azerbaijan, as well as aspects of his foreign policy record that, in the committee’s assessment, have advanced Azerbaijani interests.
It was also noted that Henry Cuellar received a presidential pardon in December 2025, before his trial began.
The U.S. congressional midterm elections will take place on November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be contested. In the Senate, 35 of the chamber’s 100 seats will be contested (33 in regularly scheduled elections and two in additional or special elections). Elections will also be held in 36 U.S. states.
