Story perspectives

Ex-Fed Workers Win Kentucky, Run New York, Advance South Carolina

6/15/2026

Summary

Dembo Wins Primary

Zach Dembo, former Justice Department prosecutor, won the May 19 Democratic primary in Kentucky’s 6th District as dozens of former federal employees entered U.S. House races after resigning or being dismissed in 18 months.
Former EEOC judge Karen Ortiz runs as an independent in New York’s 12th District after being fired for criticizing the agency’s transgender bias.
Navy admiral Nancy Lacore advanced to a runoff in South Carolina for Rep. Nancy Mace’s seat.

Summary

Bloomberg funds

Michael Bloomberg gave $5 million to a super-PAC backing Micah Lasher in New York’s 12th District.
Le, a former federal worker challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota’s 5th District, testified ICE broke court orders and she handled over 85 habeas cases.
Ortiz’s platform seeks impeachment articles against U.S. President Donald Trump on Day One, advocates LGBTQ+ workers’ civil-rights enforcement, and is backed by Courage for Democracy, a PAC co-founded by Keira Havens.

Summary

Porter Predicts Surge

Rachel Porter, political science professor at Notre Dame, says former federal workers may outpace typical first-time office seekers in 2024.
She notes amateur candidates usually lose, yet this cycle includes government employees and links to the 2018 surge—a backlash to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about women—that produced 120 women elected to Congress and Squad members.
She warns that the blend of experience and activism could spark another diversity breakthrough.

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Dembo Wins Primary

Zach Dembo, former Justice Department prosecutor, won the May 19 Democratic primary in Kentucky’s 6th District as dozens of former federal employees entered U.S. House races after resigning or being dismissed in 18 months.
Former EEOC judge Karen Ortiz runs as an independent in New York’s 12th District after being fired for criticizing the agency’s transgender bias.
Navy admiral Nancy Lacore advanced to a runoff in South Carolina for Rep. Nancy Mace’s seat.

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