As the pundits and pollsters continue to assess the exit polling from the pivotal 2026 midterm election, there’s one thing that’s known to be true when political tides change: political movements rebrand, rebuild, and can find strange political bedfellows.
It seems as though the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is already doing that. Disenchanted with the Trump administration for not doing enough, Democrats have taken notice and tried to curry favor with them as part of their own emphasis on a “healthy America” agenda.
How Democrats Are Reframing the MAHA Movement
Progressive organizations such as the Center for American Progress (CAP) are laying the groundwork to rehome the MAHA agenda into their platform by issuing a proposal ahead of the midterm elections centered on “removing corporate and political influence from regulatory agencies and guaranteeing food safety by empowering Americans to help make healthy choices”.
What’s more, House Democrats’ health care working group included a callout in its policy agenda called “Reclaiming MAHA and Protecting American Families.”
What may have been unpopular with Democrats, with RFK Jr. leading the charge, might now actually be politically viable policy with just some rebranding.
It’s clear the Democrats plan to co-opt the MAHA agenda but reframe and rebrand it to fit their own federal policy initiatives. The white paper released by CAP even calls out ultra-processed foods and PFAS by name—two items at the top of RFK Jr.’s agenda. Tellingly, the white paper points out how the MAHA movement has been betrayed by this administration and how Democrats plan to reclaim leadership on these issues.
What a New MAHA Agenda Could Mean for Businesses
However, the difference will be how Democrats approach this issue and what that means for the corporate landscape. Democrats will work to remove the influence of corporations within our current regulatory system and bring policies forward that are grounded in science.
One thing is certain: public confidence in America’s public health agencies and corporations is at an all-time low, creating a unique political moment. According to recent KFF polling, fewer than half of Americans have confidence that federal health agencies will act independently, and trust in food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries to act in the public's best interest is also low.
There is a real opportunity for education on these critical issues as policies are shaped. While it’s unclear what obstacles this new "healthy America” agenda will face, it is seemingly clear that Democrats will welcome MAHA with open arms.
What Organizations Should Watch as MAHA Evolves
As we continue to analyze and navigate the results of this election, we will continue to monitor the landscape and help clients understand how movements will rebrand and reshape, and what messages will best resonate with key stakeholders under new political leadership.
For companies operating in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and broader health care industries, the evolution of MAHA presents a changing political and regulatory environment. Issues that once fell largely along partisan lines may increasingly attract bipartisan scrutiny and MAHA voters who feel left behind, particularly when framed around affordability, consumer protection, and public health.
Organizations should be paying close attention not just to the policies being proposed, but to the political coalitions forming around them. Understanding which messages resonate across party lines, where new regulatory pressures may emerge, and how stakeholders are responding will be essential to navigating the next phase of the MAHA movement.
The Herald Group is a public affairs firm that helps organizations navigate shifting political landscapes, anticipate policy challenges, and communicate effectively with key stakeholders. From emerging regulatory debates to changing political priorities, our team develops strategic communications and advocacy campaigns that help clients protect their interests and shape public policy. Contact us to learn how we can help your organization navigate what's next.
