Author: Briana Ryan
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Sen. Joni Ernst becomes the eighth U.S. Senate member who is not seeking re-election in 2026
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced on Sept. 2, 2025, that she will not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2026. On her retirement, Ernst said, “I never imagined this farm girl would have the opportunity to serve as a lieutenant colonel and then a United States senator. […] While this chapter of elected service…
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Rep. Lloyd Doggett announces that he will not seek re-election if the courts uphold Texas’ new congressional map
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) announced on Aug. 21, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026 if the courts do not overturn Texas’ new congressional map. The Texas House of Representatives passed the map on Aug. 20, 2025, and the Texas Senate passed it on Aug. 23, 2025.…
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Rep. Chip Roy becomes the 18th U.S. House member to announce a bid for another office in 2026
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) announced on Aug. 21, 2025, that he will run for attorney general of Texas in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is running for the U.S. Senate rather than another term as attorney general. In a statement announcing his candidacy,…
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Twenty-eight members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026
Since our last update on July 22, 2025, five members of the U.S. Congress—all members of the U.S. House of Representatives—have announced that they will not seek re-election in 2026. Here are the five members who have announced their retirements since our last update, as well as how three independent race forecasters have rated the…
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Rep. Barry Moore becomes the ninth representative to announce a U.S. Senate bid for 2026
Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) announced on Aug. 12, 2025, that he will run for the U.S. Senate in Alabama in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of Aug. 12, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the general election for the seat as…
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Seven candidates are running in the general election for governor of New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025
Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) are running in the general election for governor of New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is term-limited. On an episode of On the Ballot, NJ.com’s Brent Johnson said that affordability will be a key issue in the election: “Affordability is always gonna be…
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Ghazala Hashmi (D) and John Reid (R) are running in the general election for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025
Ghazala Hashmi (D) and John Reid (R) are running in the general election for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is running for governor of Virginia instead of re-election. WAMU’s Margaret Barthel wrote, “Virginia’s lieutenant governor has few official powers. The role presides over the state senate…
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Rep. Nancy Mace becomes the eighth Republican representative to announce a gubernatorial bid for 2026
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) announced on Aug. 4, 2025, that she will run for governor of South Carolina in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster (R) is term-limited. As of July 29, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the…