Politics rarely moves in a straight line, and the latest US election twists around Abdul El Sayed’s Michigan Senate primary win underline that point. Shifts in expectations for Senate control, potential gridlock, and questions over future tax and regulatory policy can all change how investors think about income stocks. This article focuses on three dividend stocks from a quality and lower risk screener that appear more directly exposed to these political cross‑currents. You will see how each stock connects to the current debate and where the recent news might be a potential help or a potential headwind for long term dividend investors.

National HealthCare (NHC)

Overview: National HealthCare operates a broad network of senior care services in the United States, including skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, memory care, homecare, hospice, behavioral health and related pharmacy and insurance solutions.

Operations: National HealthCare generates most of its revenue from Inpatient Services at about US$1.32b, with Homecare and Hospice contributing around US$157 million and other activities about US$47 million, all within the United States.

Market Cap: US$3.48b

National HealthCare stands out in this dividend list because it mixes a broad, needs based senior care business with characteristics that many income investors look for during periods of political uncertainty. The company earns most of its money from inpatient care, which typically depends more on healthcare demand than on day to day market sentiment, and it has a long record of paying dividends, including the recent Q2 2026 payout. Recent earnings data show positive net income and margin figures. However, growth has not kept pace with all healthcare peers and insider selling in recent months is a clear risk signal. With new debt funding recent asset purchases and the stock flagged as trading well below some fair value estimates, investors may want to understand what could be driving that gap before moving on.

National HealthCare’s steady senior care footprint and fresh debt funded expansion raise a clear question: Is the valuation gap a genuine opportunity or a warning light that the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign only starts to explain

Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH)

Overview: Zimmer Biomet Holdings is a global medical technology company that designs and sells orthopedic implants, surgical tools, and digital robotics platforms that help surgeons treat bone, joint, and soft tissue conditions, from knee and hip replacements to complex skull and chest reconstruction.

Operations: Zimmer Biomet generates most of its revenue in the Americas at about US$5.26b, with Europe, Middle East and Africa contributing around US$1.88b and Asia Pacific about US$1.27b.

Market Cap: US$18.76b

Zimmer Biomet sits at the crossroads of aging demographics, orthopedic procedure demand, and the growing use of surgical robotics such as its ROSA system and ZBEdge data platform. Investors get a business that analysts describe as having expanding recurring revenue and margin potential, plus an active capital return program including a US$0.24 quarterly dividend and a share buyback of up to US$1b in 2026. At the same time, high debt levels, recent one off losses of US$285.9m and softer recent earnings growth highlight financial and execution risk, especially as competition in orthopedic robotics intensifies. With markets on edge about future healthcare regulation after Abdul El Sayed’s primary win, Zimmer Biomet’s role as a large, income paying medical technology company deserves a closer look.

Zimmer Biomet appears caught between rising orthopedic robotics ambition and investor caution about debt and recent losses. To see how that tension plays out in the numbers and capital returns, review the analysis report for Zimmer Biomet Holdings

American States Water (AWR)

Overview: American States Water provides regulated water and electric services in California and long term water and wastewater services on U.S. military bases, giving investors exposure to essential utility infrastructure that households, businesses and government customers rely on every day.

Operations: American States Water generates about US$475.2m from Water, US$60.9m from Electric and US$143.2m from Contracted Services, all within the United States.

Market Cap: US$3.32b

American States Water attracts attention today because it combines classic utility traits that many dividend investors look for during political uncertainty with some clear pressure points that are easy to overlook. You get a 72 year record of annual dividend increases, recent 8.2% dividend growth and regulated water and electric assets that can support more predictable cash flow than many sectors when politics turns more combative. At the same time, a fairly high P/E, slower forecast revenue growth and reliance on debt and fresh equity funding show that this is not a simple yield story. For readers who want to understand how that trade off compares with other dividend stocks, this is where the story becomes more detailed.

American States Water’s 72 year dividend streak and recent 8.2% payout growth can mask how much hinges on future earnings power. See how the analyst forecasts for American States Water reframes that trade off and why one assumption really matters

The three dividend stocks in this article are only a starting point, and the full Dividend Stocks screener surfaces 34 more companies that share similarly compelling income and risk stories. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific dividend strength, health scores, and political or regulatory catalysts that matter most to you so you can focus on your highest conviction ideas.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If National HealthCare or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives With Real Potential

Markets move fast and the dividend stories around National HealthCare, Zimmer Biomet and American States Water may not stay under the radar for long. Scan fresh breakouts before momentum is fully priced in and consider opportunities promptly.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.