Building the Bench for 2026
Liberty Action's candidate recruitment team has recommended 83 candidates for the Hazlitt Coalition so far this year, putting the organization in a strong position to grow its coalition of liberty legislators ahead of the 2026 elections.
The pace has been accelerating. By early March, 36 candidates had been recommended. A week later that number jumped to 55. As of mid-March, it's 83 and climbing.
How the Process Works
Liberty Action doesn't recommend just anyone who shows up claiming to support liberty. The recruitment process has three stages:
- Deep research into each prospect's record, positions, and background
- In-depth interviews to assess viability and commitment to liberty principles
- Recommendation for the coalition, only after passing both stages
The team completed 12 candidate interviews in one recent week and 25 in another. This week-over-week output has driven the rapid growth in recommended candidates.
New Legislators Joining Too
Recruitment isn't limited to new candidates. Staff successfully recruited two sitting legislators to the Hazlitt Coalition between Texas and Utah. Expanding the coalition among incumbents strengthens the legislative bloc for the current session, not just future ones.
Candidate Spotlight: Stephanie Stock
Stephanie Stock is running in Ohio's 31st House District after more than a decade of grassroots activism in healthcare freedom.
Her record:
- President of Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom
- Authored over a dozen policy proposals
- Helped pass Ohio's patient right-to-visit legislation in 2024 (the "Never Alone Bill")
After years of advocacy, Stephanie decided to take the fight into the legislature herself. Her track record earned her a recommendation for the Hazlitt Coalition. Going forward, Liberty Action will spotlight one outstanding new candidate every week.
Why This Matters
The Hazlitt Coalition's 32 bills signed into law this session came from years of recruiting and electing legislators who vote for liberty consistently. With 83 new candidates in the pipeline, the coalition is set to expand its reach in 2026.
