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Who in Congress is not running for reelection in 2026? : NPR
npr.org • • nation
Key Points:
- Nearly 20% of lawmakers who began the 119th Congress will not return next year, with 99 seats (83 House, 16 Senate) already guaranteed to have new members due to retirements, resignations, deaths, or primary defeats.
- The 2026 midterm cycle has seen an unprecedented early wave of retirements, including prominent figures like Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell, partly driven by voter dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and a push for younger representatives.
- Many incumbents are pursuing other offices such as governor or Senate seats, but over half of these candidates lost in their primaries, contributing to the high turnover rate.
- The Republican Party, currently in power, leads in retirements and losses, with several incumbents defeated in primaries due to factors like redistricting, generational change, and Trump-backed challengers.
- Notable primary defeats include Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, and New York Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman, signaling significant shifts within both parties ahead of the general election.
