Fifty members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026—the most at this point since 2018

By

Briana Ryan

Fifty members of Congress—42 representatives and eight senators—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. That’s the most retirement announcements at this point in an election cycle since 2018.

Since our Nov. 11 update, five representatives have announced that they will not seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2026. Here are the five members who have announced their retirements since our last update, as well as how independent race forecasters have rated the 2026 general election for each district these incumbents currently represent:

  • Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) announced on Dec. 8 that she will run to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. Race forecasters have rated the election for the district as either Solid or Safe Democratic.
  • Rep. ​​Marc Veasey (D-Texas) announced on Dec. 8 that will run for Tarrant County judge. Race forecasters have rated the election for the district as either Solid or Safe Democratic.
  • Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) announced on Nov. 29 that he is retiring from public office. Race forecasters have rated the election for the district as either Solid or Safe Republican.
  • Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced on Nov. 21 that he will run for governor of California. Race forecasters have rated the election for the district as either Solid or Safe Democratic.
  • Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) announced on Nov. 20 that she is retiring from public office. Race forecasters have rated the election for the district as either Solid or Safe Democratic.

U.S. House of Representatives

Forty-two representatives—19 Democrats and 23 Republicans—will not seek re-election in 2026. Of the 42 members not seeking re-election:

  • Fifteen—10 Democrats and five Republicans—are retiring from public office.
  • Thirteen—seven Democrats and six Republicans—are running for the U.S. Senate.
  • Twelve—one Democrat and 11Republicans—are running for governor.
  • One Republican is running for attorney general of Texas.
  • One Democrat is running for Tarrant County judge.

At this point in the last four election cycles, there were 33 retirement announcements in 2024, 30 in 2022, 30 in 2020, and 33 in 2018.

Looking at the last time those 42 representatives ran in their districts in 2024, five of them—two Democrats and three Republicans—won by 10 percentage points or less. Three of five representatives—Jared Golden (D-Maine), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.)—won by less than five percentage points.

U.S. Senate

Eight members of the U.S. Senate—four Democrats and four Republicans—announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) are retiring from public office. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is running for governor of Alabama.

At this point in the last four election cycles, there were seven retirement announcements in 2024, six in 2022, four in 2020, and two in 2018.

Looking at the last time those eight senators ran for their seats in 2020, four of them—two Democrats and two Republicans—won by 10 percentage points or less. Two of five senators—Tillis and Peters—won by less than five percentage points.

Between January 2011 and December 2025, 394 U.S. Senate and House incumbents announced they would not seek re-election. The 69 retirement announcements in January is the most of any month. June had the fewest at 16.

Click here to read more about members of the U.S. Senate who are not seeking re-election in 2026, and here for more about members of the U.S. House who are not seeking re-election in 2026.