Candidates are making vaccine policy a 2026 campaign issue amid a major measles outbreak, with some Democrats presenting their medical backgrounds as a check on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Florida Republican Byron Donalds backed efforts to end several vaccine mandates and blamed illegal immigration for measles outbreaks.
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee identified as a physician and public-health administrator who plans to scrutinize HHS if elected.
ALSO MENTIONED Amy Acton, Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee and physician identified as a candidate who plans to scrutinize HHS if elected.; David Jolly, Democratic Florida gubernatorial nominee who criticized the mandate proposal and said he would fire Ladapo.; Joseph Ladapo, Florida surgeon general who signed a proposal to end some school immunization mandates.; Rob Sand, Iowa state auditor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee who released an ad criticizing his opponent’s position on treatments.; Ron DeSantis, Florida governor who has said he wants to end vaccine mandates in the state.; Tony Fabrizio, Trump pollster whose memo said vaccine support was broad across party lines.; Zach Lahn, Republican Iowa gubernatorial nominee whose views on mRNA vaccines and cancer treatments are described.
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee identified as a physician and public-health administrator who plans to scrutinize HHS if elected.
ALSO MENTIONED Amy Acton, Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee and physician identified as a candidate who plans to scrutinize HHS if elected.; David Jolly, Democratic Florida gubernatorial nominee who criticized the mandate proposal and said he would fire Ladapo.; Joseph Ladapo, Florida surgeon general who signed a proposal to end some school immunization mandates.; Rob Sand, Iowa state auditor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee who released an ad criticizing his opponent’s position on treatments.; Ron DeSantis, Florida governor who has said he wants to end vaccine mandates in the state.; Tony Fabrizio, Trump pollster whose memo said vaccine support was broad across party lines.; Zach Lahn, Republican Iowa gubernatorial nominee whose views on mRNA vaccines and cancer treatments are described.
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