AAUP Endorsees Win 11 of 12 Races

The American Association of University Professors' first-ever political endorsements produced a strong showing in the 2026 midterm elections.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a symmetrical university building facade in deep red and cream, with a single navy accent, evoking academic institutions engaging in electoral politics. — The American Association of University Professors saw 11 of its 12 first-ever endorsed candidates win their races in the 2026 midterm elections, including Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate victory over Mike Rogers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should academic unions like the AAUP endorse political candidates?

The American Association of University Professors endorsed twelve national candidates in the 2026 midterms, marking the first political endorsements in the organization's history. Eleven of the twelve endorsed candidates won their races, including Abdul El-Sayed's defeat of Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate contest.

Why it matters

The results signal that a faculty union can translate its policy priorities into electoral influence, with the AAUP citing academic freedom, workers' rights and affordable higher education as its core goals. AAUP President Todd Wolfson said the organization will make more endorsements in the next cycle.

Of the twelve candidates the AAUP endorsed, eleven won, including all nine House Democrats it backed and two of three Senate candidates. The source material does not establish the endorsements' independent effect on these outcomes.

The players

American Association of University Professors

A national faculty advocacy and union organization that defends academic freedom and workers' rights in higher education.

Todd Wolfson

President of the American Association of University Professors, who said the group will make more endorsements next cycle.

Abdul El-Sayed

A Michigan Democratic Senate candidate endorsed by the AAUP who went on to defeat Mike Rogers in the general election.

The details

The AAUP issued its October endorsements as part of a political strategy to build union power, guided by factors including alignment with its policy blueprint, track record on higher education access, free speech protection, collective bargaining support and local chapter support. The organization had endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary in July before issuing the broader slate.

July 2026: AAUP endorses Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary.
October 2026: AAUP issues its twelve national candidate endorsements.
November 3, 2026: Midterm elections are held and endorsed candidates win or lose their races.

Political Context

The AAUP's entry into candidate endorsements is a departure from its historical focus on policy advocacy, and its first-cycle results give the organization a baseline for measuring future political influence. Wolfson's statement that more endorsements will follow suggests the group intends to make this electoral role a sustained part of its work.

For readers following higher education policy, the results mean that AAUP-backed lawmakers now hold seats that could shape federal decisions on academic freedom, collective bargaining and college affordability. Voters interested in these issues can track how the endorsed officials vote on related legislation in the coming sessions.

The takeaway

The AAUP's first political endorsements produced a strong record, and its stated plan to endorse again next cycle makes its electoral role worth watching. Readers can track how the winning candidates address higher education issues once they take office.