Welcome to the Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, Brew.
By: Lara Bonatesta
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- More former members of Congress have announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term in any cycle since 2016
- Virginia voters will decide on automatically restoring voting rights for people convicted of a felony
- Three candidates are running in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District
More former members of Congress have announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term in any cycle since 2016
This year, 19 former U.S. House members and three former U.S. Senators have announced campaigns to run for a non-consecutive term in the same chamber. Including two U.S. House members — Rodney Blum (R-Iowa) and Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.) — who have withdrawn their candidacies, this brings the total of former members of Congress who have announced candidacies to 22. This is the highest number in any cycle going back to 2016.
The 19 House members announced their candidacies in 13 states. Eleven of these former members are Democrats, and eight are Republicans. The average length of time between the end of their terms and their next election was almost eight years, or four full House terms. The longest gap is for William Hilleary (R-Tenn.), who, at the time of the primary, will have been out of the House for nearly 24 years. Texas has the most former members running, with four (one Democrat and three Republicans).
On the Senate side, three ex-senators are running in Ohio and New Hampshire. We previously reported that this is the most Senators running for a non-consecutive term since 2012 and 2014, when three former Senators also ran.
More former members of Congress have announced candidacies in the 2026 election cycle than in any cycle since 2016, with 22 total members running. The next highest cycles are 2020 and 2024, with 15 members each. The cycle with the fewest former members running was 2016 and 2018, with 12 members each.
Since 2016, the most successful year for former members was in 2020, when five former members won again. The least successful year was in 2022, when one member won a non-consecutive term. The most common outcome in three cycles — 2018, 2020, and 2022 — was a defeat in the primary. In 2016 and 2024, the most common result was a defeat in the general election.
To read more about members running again, click here.
Virginia voters will decide on automatically restoring voting rights for people convicted of a felony
On Nov. 3, Virginia voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights for people convicted of a felony after they complete their prison sentence.
Virginia is one of 10 states that never automatically restores voting rights for individuals convicted of a felony. Instead, people must apply to the governor's office for restoration upon completion of their sentence — including prison time, parole, and probation — and governors consider those applications on a case-by-case basis.
Some Virginia governors, including former Gov. Ralph Northam (D), used their executive powers to automatically restore voting rights to thousands of citizens upon completing their prison sentences. In 2023, then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced that he would not continue this policy and would consider individual applications for voting rights restoration through pardon after the completion of a felony sentence.
Under the potential constitutional amendment, voting rights would automatically be restored once a person convicted of a felony is released from prison. The amendment would also state that individuals deemed by a court to “lack the capacity to understand the act of voting” are not allowed to vote.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who assumed office on Jan. 17, has said she supports the amendment.
The General Assembly first approved the amendment in 2025. In Virginia, a constitutional amendment must be passed in two consecutive legislative sessions before being presented to voters.
The Virginia House of Delegates approved the amendment for a second time on Jan. 14 in a 65-33 vote. Sixty-four Democrats and one Republican voted in favor, and 33 Republicans were opposed. Two lawmakers did not vote. The Virginia Senate followed suit on Jan. 16 in a 21-18 vote along party lines, with one Republican lawmaker not voting.
The amendment will appear on the November ballot alongside two other proposed changes to the constitution. Additionally, Democrats in the General Assembly plan to pass a bill to schedule a special election for a congressional redistricting amendment in April.
While the proposed constitutional amendment moves forward, a U.S. district court judge ruled on Jan. 22 that Virginia's current policy violates a federal law established in the wake of the Civil War.
U.S. District Court Judge John Gibney granted an injunction preventing Virginia from disenfranchising individuals convicted of felonies created after the passage of the Virginia Readmission Act of 1870. Under Gibney’s ruling, individuals convicted of some crimes would still need to petition the governor to have their voting rights restored. Those 11 crimes include arson, burglary, manslaughter, murder, and rape.
In 23 states, voting rights for individuals convicted of a felony are automatically restored upon a person's release from prison. In 15 states, a person must complete probation and parole before regaining the right to vote. In two states, Maine and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C., people convicted of a felony retain their voting rights in prison.
Click here to read more about laws governing voting rights for individuals convicted of a felony in each state.
Three candidates are running in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District
Incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie (R), Nicole Lee Ethington (R), and Ed Gallrein (R) are running in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District on May 19. Massie and Gallrein lead in endorsements and media attention.
This is one of two congressional races where President Donald Trump (R) has endorsed a challenger to a Republican incumbent. The other race is for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana.
After Massie said he would vote against the short-term government funding bill in March 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social that “HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him.” In response, Massie posted on X, “Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me. Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance.” Trump endorsed Gallrein on Oct. 17.
According to the University of Kentucky's Stephen Voss, "A lot of Republican voters in Massie's district are going to be willing to consider an alternative to Massie because of Donald Trump's spats with Massie. But just because you're not fully happy with your member of Congress doesn't mean you end up willing to vote for someone else."
Massie was first elected to represent Kentucky's 4th Congressional District in a 2012 special election. He previously served as the Lewis County Judge Executive from 2010 to 2012. Massie's professional experience includes working as a farmer and business owner.
Massie said, "Fourth district voters appreciate having an independent conservative voice who works for them, and I look forward to continuing my fight for transparency, constitutional rights, secure borders, a true America-first foreign policy, and fiscal responsibility."
Gallrein is a farmer and business owner. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 2014. In 2024, Gallrein ran to represent District 7 in the Kentucky Senate. He lost to Aaron Reed 39.3% to 38.3% in the Republican primary.
Gallrein said, "This district is Trump Country. The president doesn't need obstacles in Congress — he needs backup. I'll defeat Thomas Massie, stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, and deliver the America First results Kentuckians voted for."
As of Jan. 20, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzalesrated thegeneral election as Solid Republican. Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election as Safe Republican.
Click here to learn more about the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.