To run for Congress, candidates must satisfy three constitutional qualifications: Meet the minimum age requirement, be a U.S. citizen, and reside in the state they seek to represent.
But, heading into the 2026 cycle, it is clear there is one additional, unofficial requirement: They must be able to raise several million dollars.
The total cost of congressional races in 2024 was $9.5 billion, including spending by outside groups, according to OpenSecrets data. And that high cost of a political campaign comes at the expense of constituents, who can see their lawmaker become beholden to wealthy donors outside the district. It also results in fewer candidates, particularly among the middle class, women, and underrepresented communities. Read more at blackenterprise.com.
