Record Number of Congressional Lawmakers Opt Out of Reelection Bid in 2026

A Record Number of Congressional Lawmakers Opt Out of Reelection in 2026 In a significant development, a record number of congressional lawmakers have announced their decision not to run for reelection in 2026. According to NPR's tracking, 10 senators and 27 House members have made the decision to step down from their current seats. The list includes several high-profile politicians, with 15 opting to retire from public office altogether. The remaining lawmakers are seeking different offices, with 11 aiming to become governors of their respective states, 10 looking to make the jump from the House to the Senate, and one, Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, vying for his state's attorney general position. The trend is more pronounced among Republicans, with 27 signaling their desire to exit Washington compared to 10 Democrats. On the Democratic side, several older lawmakers are passing on the torch to a new generation of elected officials, including Sens. Dick Durbin and Jeanne Shaheen, and Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Dwight Evans, and Danny Davis. "We're seeing a significant number of lawmakers choosing not to seek reelection," said Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "This could be due to various factors, including burnout, personal reasons, or simply feeling that it's time for someone else to take over." Binder noted that this trend may have implications for policy-making in Congress, particularly if experienced lawmakers are replaced by newcomers. The retirements include several high-profile Republicans, including Sens. Mitch McConnell and Thad Cochran. "This is a significant loss of institutional knowledge and experience," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "We will miss their leadership and expertise." On the Republican side, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the impact on party dynamics. "The loss of experienced lawmakers can create a power vacuum, which can be challenging for any party to navigate," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). As the 2026 election cycle approaches, attention will shift to the remaining candidates vying for these open seats. The outcome of these elections is likely to have significant implications for policy-making in Congress and the balance of power in Washington. In the coming weeks and months, NPR will continue to track the developments surrounding these retirements and their impact on the 2026 election cycle. *Reporting by Npr.*