Harvard alumni elected to the 114th Congress

Harvard’s GOP contingent expands in the new Congress.

Martha McSally, M.P.P. ’90, Republican of Arizona, who won her House race on December 17, became the fifth alumna elected to the 114th Congress.

The republican resurgence of 2014 affected the University’s alumni contingent in the new Congress. Three new senators (one risen from the House) and five new representatives—including two women—raised the Harvard GOP total to 14, a net gain of six. The Democrats lost two senators and a representative to retirement and two more House members to defeat, but gained four new representatives—including one woman—for a new total of 33, a net loss of one. Update: On December 17, Martha McSally, M.P.P. ’90, Republican of Arizona, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, was declared the victor in her House race by 167 votes. Her election increases to five the number of Harvard alumnae who will be serving in the House of Representatives.

Besides the 47 degree-program graduates or matriculants, the 114th Congress includes other members with Harvard affiliations, among them senators Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, a former fellow of the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, and Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, a former Radcliffe Institute fellow and Law School faculty member.

In the list below, asterisks mark newcomers since the election of 2012:

Senate Republicans: *Tom Cotton ’99, J.D. ’02 (Ark.); Michael D. Crapo, J.D. ’77 (Id.); Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz, J.D. ’95 (Tex.); *Ben Sasse ’94 (Neb.); *Daniel S. Sullivan ’87 (Alas.); Pat Toomey ’84 (Pa.); David Vitter ’83 (La.)

Senate Democrats: Richard Blumenthal ’67 (Conn.); Al Franken ’73 (Minn.); Timothy M. Kaine, J.D. ’83 (Va.); John F. (Jack) Reed, M.P.P. ’73, J.D. ’82 (R.I.); Charles E. Schumer ’71, J.D. ’74 (N.Y.); Mark R. Warner, J.D. ’80 (Va.)

House Republicans: *Curtis Clawson, M.B.A. ’90 (Fla.); Ron DeSantis, J.D. ’05 (Fla.); *Martha McSally, M.P.P. ’90 (Ariz.); *John Moolenaar, M.P.A. ’89 (Mich.); *Bruce Poliquin ’76 (Me.); Michael R. Pompeo, J.D. ’94 (Kans.); *Elise Stefanik ’06 (N.Y.)

House Democrats: *Brendan Boyle, M.P.P. ’05 (Pa.); Joaquin Castro, J.D. ’00 (Tex.); *Katherine Clark, M.P.A. ’97 (Mass); Gerry Connolly, M.P.A. ’79 (Va.); James H. Cooper, J.D. ’80 (Tenn.); Elizabeth Esty ’80 (Conn.); Bill Foster, Ph.D. ’83 (Ill.); *Ruben Gallego ’02/’04 (Ariz.); John Garamendi, M.B.A. ’70 (Calif.); Alan M. Grayson ’78, M.P.P.-J.D. ’83, G ’87 (Fla.); Brian Higgins, M.P.A. ’96 (N.Y.); Jim Himes ’88 (Conn.); Joseph P. Kennedy III, J.D. ’09 (Mass); Ron Kind ’85 (Wisc.); James R. Langevin, M.P.A. ’94 (R.I.); Sander M. Levin, LL.B. ’57 (Mich.); Stephen F. Lynch, M.P.A. ’99 (Mass.); *Seth Moulton ’01, M.B.A.-M.P.A. ’11 (Mass.); Raul Ruiz, M.D.-M.P.P. ’01, M.P.H. ’07 (Calif); John P. Sarbanes, J.D. ’88 (Md.); Adam B. Schiff, J.D. ’85 (Calif.); Robert C. Scott ’69 (Va.); Terri Sewell, J.D. ’92 (Ala.); Bradley J. Sherman, J.D. ’79 (Calif.); Mark Takano ’83 (Calif.); Christopher Van Hollen Jr., M.P.P. ’85 (Md.); Juan C. Vargas, J.D. ’91 (Calif.)

Totals in the first and second paragraphs were updated to reflect the election of Martha McSally.

Those totals have been further updated to reflect the election of Representative John Moolenaar, M.P.A. ’89, Repubican of Michigan. We regret the omission.

Related topics

You might also like

Novelist Lev Grossman on Why Fantasy Isn’t About Escapism

The Magicians author discusses his influences, from Harvard to King Arthur to Tolkien.

Introductions: Dan Cnossen

A conversation with the former Navy SEAL and gold-medal-winning Paralympic skier

A Congenial Voice in Japanese-American Relations

Takashi Komatsu spent his life building bridges. 

Most popular

Why Men Are Falling Behind in Education, Employment, and Health

Can new approaches to education address a growing gender gap?

The 1884 Cannibalism-at-Sea Case That Still Has Harvard Talking

The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens changed the course of legal history. Here’s why it’s been fodder for countless classroom debates.

Explore More From Current Issue

Historic church steeple framed by bare tree branches against a clear sky.

Harvard’s Financial Challenges Lead to Difficult Choices

The University faces the consequences of the Trump administration—and its own bureaucracy

Evolutionary progression from primates to humans in a colorful illustration.

Why Humans Walk on Two Legs

Research highlights our evolutionary ancestors’ unique pelvis.

Lawrence H. Summers, looking serious while speaking at a podium with a microphone.

Harvard in the News

Grade inflation, Epstein files fallout, University database breach