Washington, D.C. — Maggie’s List, a federal political action committee dedicated to electing strong conservative women, has endorsed six women in North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon and Minnesota.

The new endorsements are Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, Didi Okpareke in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, Monique DeSpain in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, Patti Adair in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, Lisa Demuth for Minnesota Governor, and Christine Drazan for Oregon Governor.

The gubernatorial races in Minnesota and Oregon also provide historic opportunities: Demuth could become Minnesota’s first female governor and first Black governor, and Drazan could become Oregon’s first female Republican governor.

These six bring the number of Maggie’s List’s current 2026 endorsements to fifty-four.

U.S. HOUSE

Maggie’s List has endorsed Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

Balkcom, a well-regarded state representative, was recently chosen as the Republican nominee after Rep. Chuck Edwards announced that he would not run for reelection. She has already been endorsed by President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Chairwoman Lisa McClain.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Maggie’s List, an organization dedicated to electing strong conservative women to Congress,” said Jennifer Balkcom. “I’m proud to stand with women who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and protecting the values that make our country strong.  Let’s make history in Western North Carolina!”

“Jennifer Balkcom has proven that conservative women can lead, fight, and deliver results,” said Maggie’s List North Carolina Chair Susan Mills. “Jennifer has built a record of standing firmly on conservative principles, including her sponsorship of a zero-based budgeting bill, the ‘No Tax on Tips, Overtime, Bonus Pay’ bill, and the Educational Choice for Children Act. Now she has the opportunity to bring that leadership to Washington. Maggie’s List is proud to endorse Jennifer Balkcom and to support her effort to become the next conservative woman representing North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.”

 

Maggie’s List has endorsed Didi Okpareke in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.

A pharmacist, business owner, and daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Okpareke is seeking to unseat incumbent Rep. Melanie Ann Stansbury.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to have the endorsement of Maggie’s List,” said Didi Okpareke. “Their support means so much to me, and I am proud to stand alongside an organization committed to supporting strong, principled women in leadership.”

“Didi Okpareke is the American Dream in action,” said Maggie’s List New Mexico Chair Kimberly Perry. “A first-generation American, pharmacist, small business owner, mom, and proud daughter of immigrants who came to this country seeking freedom and opportunity, Didi understands firsthand what makes that dream worth protecting. Now she is stepping up to fight for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District and to make sure the freedom, opportunity, and promise her family found in America remain within reach for the next generation. I am honored to know her and proud to watch her step forward to serve New Mexico.”

 

Maggie’s List has endorsed Monique DeSpain in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.

DeSpain is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with 30 years of military service, as well as a lawyer and mother. She is seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Val Hoyle.

“I’m deeply grateful for Maggie’s List’s endorsement,” said Monique DeSpain. “Oregon families need leaders who will deliver results for them to keep neighborhoods safe from crime, free of the risk of wildfires, and thriving again with an economy free from red tape and burdensome taxes. We don’t need someone to just talk about it. After thirty years of military service and legal practice in Oregon, that’s exactly the results-driven fight I’m bringing to Congress.”

“Monique DeSpain is precisely the kind of accomplished conservative woman Maggie’s List exists to support,” said Maggie’s List Oregon Chair Linda Neace. “As a 30-year Air Force veteran, attorney, mother and proven leader, she has dedicated her career to serving others and is now stepping forward to bring that experience to Congress.”

 

Maggie’s List has endorsed Patti Adair in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Adair is a Deschutes County Commissioner, businesswoman, philanthropist, and fourth-generation Oregonian who is attempting to flip a competitive seat currently held by Rep. Janelle Bynum.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Maggie’s List and proud to stand with an organization committed to electing conservative women who champion fiscal responsibility, limited government, and common-sense conservative values,” said Patti Adair. “Together, we will flip Congressional District 5.”

“Patti Adair is an experienced conservative leader with a strong record of fiscal responsibility, public-safety advocacy, and results-driven governance,” said Maggie’s List Oregon Chair Linda Neace. “She also has a real opportunity to flip a competitive congressional district for Republicans. Maggie’s List is proud to stand behind her.”

 

GOVERNOR

Maggie’s List has endorsed Lisa Demuth for Minnesota Governor.

Demuth is Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and is the first Black person and the first Republican woman to hold the position in Minnesota’s history. If elected governor, Demuth would continue to break historic barriers: She’d be Minnesota’s first female governor and first Black governor.

Lisa Demuth is also a proven conservative leader. As Speaker, she has championed tax relief, fiscal restraint, anti-fraud reforms, school safety, and policies supporting families and businesses.

“Hard-working Minnesotans have been rocked by record-setting fraud — billions of taxpayer dollars have been stolen because the Democrat elected officials running our state for decades have failed us,” said Maggie’s List Minnesota Chair Annette Meeks. “Lisa Demuth will be a different kind of governor: She’s a strong conservative and proven leader who will begin cleaning up the state government on Day One as governor.  I am confident that she will get Minnesota’s fiscal house back on track and provide the leadership to make property possible for every citizen of the state.”

Maggie’s List has endorsed Christine Drazan for Oregon Governor.

Drazan served as Oregon House Republican Leader and now serves in the state Senate. If she successfully unseats incumbent Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, she would become Oregon’s first female Republican governor. She has been nominated by both the Oregon Republican Party and the Oregon Libertarian Party.

“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Maggie’s List and proud to stand with women across the country who believe in strong leadership, economic opportunity, and a brighter future for our families,” said Sen. Christine Drazan. “Together, we’re ready to deliver real results for Oregon.”

“Christine Drazan is an experienced and battle-tested conservative leader with a strong record of standing up for Oregon families, taxpayers, and small businesses,” said Maggie’s List Oregon Chair Linda Neace. “As a proven statewide candidate with a real opportunity to make history as Oregon’s first Republican woman governor, Christine Drazan represents exactly the kind of capable conservative woman Maggie’s List was created to support.”

These six endorsements bring the number of Maggie’s List’s current 2026 endorsements to 54 – eight U.S. Senate races, thirty-seven U.S. House races, and nine statewide races.

About Maggie’s List

Maggie’s List is a federal political action committee (PAC) created to raise awareness and funds to increase the number of conservative women elected to federal public office and statewide executive office. Since 2010, Maggie’s List has had an outstanding record of endorsing successful candidates for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and other legislative bodies. More information about Maggie’s List can be found at maggieslist.org.