By Marni Rose McFallShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe House of Representatives and the Senate could be set to see an exodus ahead of the 2026 midterms, as with a little under a year until the vote, more than 40 politicians have announced they will not be seeking reelection, outpacing recent election cycles.
Why It Matters
With many politicians announcing that they are retiring or seeking different roles, the upcoming midterms could go on to be the cycle with the largest number of politicians not seeking reelection.
...The elections come at a moment of upheaval for the Republican Party, with the GOP split on multiple issues, and polls showing the approval rating of President Donald Trump to be at an all-time low.
Traditionally, the party that does not hold the White House performs better in the midterms.
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, 219-213, and Democrats may be likely to take back the House. Both parties are currently pushing for redrawn congressional maps, seeking more favorable lines in hopes of gaining seats and securing a House majority.
What To Know
As of reporting, there are a total of 39 members of Congress were not seeking reelection, with seven of those leaving office early. Eight members of the Senate are not seeking reelection, and two are leaving office early.
The number of members not seeking reelection in the Senate—which is the same as it was in 2024—is highest number since 2012. Meanwhile, the members of the House not running again is already at a similar level to the last few years, this figure was 45, 49 and 36 in 2024, 2022 and 2020, respectively. This number may well go on to increase closer to the elections, and if so the figure could significantly outpace that of recent elections.
Full List of Republicans Not Seeking Reelection
Senator Joni Ernst
The Iowa senator is retiring from the Senate.
Senator Tommy Tuberville
Tuberville is retiring to run for governor of Alabama.
Senator Thom Tillis
The North Carolina Republican is retiring from the Senate.
Senator Mitch McConnell
The Kentucky Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative Tom Tiffany
Tiffany, who represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional district, is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Ashley Hinson
Hinson, who represents Iowa’s 2nd Congressional district, is retiring to run for the Senate.
Representative Andy Biggs
The Arizona Republican is retiring to launch a campaign for Governor.
Representative Dusty Johnson
Johnson is retiring to run for governor of South Dakota.
Representative Don Bacon
The Nebraska Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative John James
James is retiring to run for Governor of Michigan.
Representative Elise Stefanik
Stefanik, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional district, is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Byron Donalds
Donalds is retiring to run for Governor of Florida.
Representative Andy Barr
The Kentucky Republican is retiring to run for U.S. Senate.
Representative Randy Feenstra
The Iowa Republican is retiring to run for governor. hunh
Representative John Rose
The Tennessee Republican is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Ralph Norman
The South Carolina Republican is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Nancy Mace
The South Carolina Republican is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Earl “Buddy” Carter
Carter, who represents Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, is retiring to run for the U.S. Senate.
Representative Wesley Hunt
The Texas Republican is leaving to run for Senate.
Representative Barry Moore
The Alabama Republican is retiring to run for the Senate.
Representative Troy Nehls
The Texas Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative Morgan Luttrell
The Texas Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative Michael McCaul
The Texas Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative Chip Roy
The Texas Republican is retiring to run for state attorney general.
Representative Jodey Arrington
The Texas Republican is retiring from public office.
Representative David Schweikert
The Arizona Republican is retiring to run for governor.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene,
Greene announced in November that she will resign in January, following a dispute with Trump.
Representative Mike Collins
Collins, a Georgia Republican, is retiring to run for the Senate.
Senator Marsha Blackburn
The Tennessee Republican is launching a gubernatorial bid.
Full List of Democrats Not Seeking Reelection
Representative Nancy Pelosi
The California Democrat will retire ahead of next November.
Senator Tina Smith
The Minnesota Democrat is retiring from public office.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen
The New Hampshire Democrat is retiring from public office.
Senator Dick Durbin
The Illinois senator is retiring from public office.
Senator Gary Peters
The Michigan senator is retiring from public office.
Representative Angie Craig
The Minnesota Democrat is retiring to run for the U.S. Senate.
Representative Lloyd Doggett
The Texas Democrat is retiring.
Representative Robin Kelly
The Illinois Democrat is retiring to run for the U.S. Senate.
Representative Jesus Garcia
Garcia is retiring from public office.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi
The Illinois Democrat is retiring to run for the Senate.
Representative Jan Schakowsky
Schakowsky is retiring from public office.
Representative Haley Stevens
The Michigan Democrat is retiring to run for the Senate.
Representative Dwight Evans
The Pennsylvania Democrat is retiring from public office.
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman
The New Jersey representative is retiring from public office.
Representative Seth Moulton
Moulton is retiring to from his role in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District to run for the U.S. Senate.
Senator Michael Bennet
The Colorado Democrat is launching a gubernatorial bid.
Representative Jared Golden
The Maine Democrat is retiring from public office.
Representative Jerry Nadler
The New York Democrat will be retiring ahead of the midterms.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in a recent post on Truth Social: “We should win the Midterm Elections in RECORD NUMBERS.”
The Republicans Against Trump X account said in a Saturday post, after it was announced that Troy Nehls was retiring: "JUST IN: Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls, one of Trump’s closest allies, says he won’t seek reelection in 2026. He’s the latest in a growing wave of GOP lawmakers retiring ahead of what many expect to be a devastating midterm."
What’s Next
The midterm elections will be held on November 3, 2026.
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