Congressional Exodus: Lawmakers Stepping Away Ahead of 2026 Elections
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a significant shift is occurring on Capitol Hill. A record number of lawmakers have declared their intentions to vacate their congressional seats, with the tally currently at 10 senators and 27 House members. This wave of departures has sparked discussions about the future political landscape.
Out of the 37 departing lawmakers, 15 are retiring from public service altogether. The remaining members are pursuing different political aspirations: 11 are eyeing gubernatorial positions, 10 are seeking to transition from the House to the Senate, and Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy is aiming to become his state’s attorney general.
The exodus is more pronounced among Republicans, with 27 choosing to leave Washington compared to 10 Democrats.
Within the Democratic Party, some of the long-serving members, such as Sens. Dick Durbin and Jeanne Shaheen, along with Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Dwight Evans, and Danny Davis, are stepping aside, allowing a younger generation to take the helm.
On the Republican front, notable retirements include Sens. Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, and Joni Ernst, as well as Rep. Don Bacon. These departures come amid tensions with former President Trump’s vision of expanded executive power.
With narrow Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, the GOP has initiated mid-decade gerrymandering in several states it controls. This strategy aims to secure more favorable districts before an election cycle that historically poses challenges for the incumbent party.
In response, California’s Democratic state government is encouraging voters to approve a retaliatory redistricting measure in the upcoming off-year elections in November.
Meanwhile, Texas has redrawn its map to potentially reduce the number of Democratic representatives by five, prompting 78-year-old Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett to retire rather than face a primary battle against progressive Rep. Greg Casar.
NPR is closely monitoring these developments. For more detailed coverage, visit NPR’s complete report on the exodus of lawmakers.
