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Gov. Rick Scott, Ex-Celgene CEO Among 10 Health Leaders Running in the Midterms

Analysis  |  By Jack O'Brien  
   September 12, 2018

The list includes a wide array of prominent healthcare industry players, including former insurance executives, physicians, a nurse and a physician.

This year's midterm elections are being closely-watched for what effects they could have on the political balance of power, but also for what they could mean regarding the future of healthcare policy. In addition, several candidates running for national and statewide office on both sides of the aisle feature significant and relevant ties to the healthcare industry.

Throughout the late spring and end of summer, HealthLeaders has been tracking candidates through contentious primary elections and has compiled a list of those who have made the ballot for the general elections in November. This list includes some prominent leaders who are seeking to parlay their experience in the world of healthcare into elected office. 

Related: Here are the Healthcare Leaders on the Ballot for the 2018 Midterms

In the coming weeks, HealthLeaders will be publishing profiles of several candidates on this list who provided their insights on what changes to health policy they'd push for on Capitol Hill, the future of value-based care, and how their time in the healthcare industry has inspired them to run for office. 

Below is a list of 10 health leaders running in Senate, House, and gubernatorial elections this year.

Senate races:

1. Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is the Republican nominee in U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

2. Former Gov. Phil Bredesen, D-Tenn., is the Democratic nominee in U.S. Senate race to replace outgoing Republican incumbent Bob Corker.

  • Bredesen founded HealthAmerica Corp., an insurance company that he sold his controlling interest in 1986.

3. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, R-W.V., is the Republican nominee in U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin.

  • As partner at King & Spalding, Morrisey focused the majority of his work on healthcare legislation.

  • He served as both deputy staff director and chief health counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  

4. Bob Hugin, R-N.J., is the Republican nominee in U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez.

  • Hugin is the former CEO of Celgene Corp.   

5. State Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wisc., is the Republican nominee in U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin.

  • Vukmir worked as a nurse.

House races:

6. Mel Hall, D-Ind., is the Democratic nominee in race against Republican incumbent Jackie Walorski.

  • Hall formerly served as CEO of Press Ganey, a patient satisfaction firm.

7. Lauren Underwood, RN, D-Illi., is the Democratic nominee in House race against Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren.

  • Underwood is a registered nurse.

  • She also served as a senior adviser to the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama.

8. Dr. Matt Longjohn, D-Mich., is the Democratic nominee in the race against Republican incumbent Fred Upton.

  • Longjohn is a physician.

  • He also served as the first National Health Officer for the YMCA. 

Gubernatorial elections:

9. State Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Ore., is the Republican nominee in the gubernatorial race against Democratic incumbent Kate Brown.

  • Buehler works as an orthopedic surgeon at the Center for Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Care and Research.

  • He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ford Family Foundation and St. Charles Health System.

10. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., is the Democratic nominee in the gubernatorial race to replace outgoing Republican incumbent Susana Martinez.

  • Grisham previously served as head of the state's Department of Health.

For those interested, check out our full list of health leaders running for office in 2018.

Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.


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