This year, the National Association of Social Workers-Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW-PACE) Board of Trustees rose to the challenge of identifying federal candidates worthy of receiving the endorsement by the PAC of the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the country.

Between May and October, NASW-PACE trustees reviewed candidate policies, positions, potential for victory, recommendations from state chapters, and other information gathered by NASW staff. These categories helped trustees identify candidates who will support social workers, our clients, and our issues. The trustees endorsed 167 federal candidates, including Vice President Harris and Governor Walz for President and Vice President.

Now that the final race of the NASW-PACE endorsed candidates has been called as of December 4, NASW wants to share the final breakdown and some important highlights.

• 144 NASW-PACE-endorsed candidates won their races (over 86%), with some races needing a month to count all votes and numerous races being won within a percentage point or a couple hundred votes.

• Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), who will be the longest-serving social worker in the 119th Congress, won her bid for re-election alongside fellow social worker, Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03).

• Three Republican social work champions in Congress, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02) and Sen. John Barrasso (WY-Sen.), also won their re-election.

• NASW-PACE-endorsed Senators-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-Sen.) and Angela Alsobrooks (MD-Sen.) will make history by being the first two Black women serving in the U.S. Senate at the same time.

• New Jersey Senator-Elect Andy Kim became the first Korean-American to be elected to the Senate and was elected alongside Arizona Senator-Elect Ruben Gallego, an Iraq War veteran. In addition, Representative-Elect Sarah McBride (DE-AL) is the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

The 2024 General Election proves just how impactful the right to vote is for the future of communities and the country. Every vote was counted, and as more and more people see their experiences, perspectives, and qualities reflected in Congress, the more we need to create opportunities for individuals to share their stories with these lawmakers.  

In the coming months, NASW will work to build relationships with returning and new members of Congress to ensure that the issues of our profession and clients are prioritized. For more information on NASW-PACE-endorsed candidate race outcomes, visit https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Political-Action-for-Candidate-Election-PACE/Elections/2024-PACE-Endorsements.