There are only 19 physicians serving in the 118th Congress, two of whom will retire at the end of the year. PathPAC has been dedicated to growing this number in the next Congress, recognizing the value that a medical background can bring to a lawmaker’s policy decisions.

This cycle, PathPAC has been active in connecting local CAP members with several physician candidates seeking the PAC’s support. These connections serve as an opportunity to cultivate a strong relationship and to share the top issues impacting patients and pathology. If elected, PathPAC-backed candidates have a solid foundation of knowledge to grow into pathology champions through the relationships the PAC helped develop early in the process.

Below are the profiles of two physician candidates who have received PathPAC support this election cycle. PathPAC is currently reviewing the races of two additional candidates, Maxine Dexter, MD (OR-03) and Bob Onder, MD (MO-03).

Herb Conaway, MD (NJ-03) is a former U.S. Air Force Captain, internal medicine physician, and longtime member of the New Jersey State Legislature. During his 25-year legislative career at the state level, Dr. Conaway’s medical background has informed his policy priorities, including prescription drug affordability, mental health access, and prior authorization reform. In the New Jersey Assembly, Dr. Conaway has held key leadership positions, including Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Health Committee. If elected to Congress, Dr. Conaway is motivated to put forth common sense solutions to longstanding health care challenges in his work at the federal level, just as he has done for decades in New Jersey. After winning his primary in June, Dr. Conaway is considered the frontrunner in this race, as well as one of the best opportunities for a physician to pick up an open congressional seat in November.

Kelly Morrison, MD (MN-03) is an OB-GYN and Minnesota state senator. In her five-year career in the state legislature, Dr. Morrison has passed a record 80 bills and maintained a strong track record of bipartisanship. Dr. Morrison understands how heavily the health care system relies on pathologists and labs, and she recently shared this sentiment when she met with a local CAP member as part of PathPAC’s candidate evaluation process. Dr. Morrison is also the frontrunner in her race, outraising her opponent 5:1 so far. If current race ratings hold through November, Dr. Morrison will be in a strong position to join the ranks of physicians in Congress next year.

PathPAC strives to increase the political awareness of our members through political analysis, education, and helping our members build relationships with members of Congress. Learn more.