Congressional Exodus: Retirements Surge as Midterms Approach

With the midterm elections on the horizon, a wave of retirements among members of Congress is reshaping the political landscape, reaching levels not seen in nearly a century. Recent announcements from Republican representatives Barry Loudermilk and Mark Amodei have pushed the total number of House members stepping down to 51.

Historical data reveals that 2026 is already witnessing the third-highest number of election-year exits since 1930, trailing only behind the departures of 52 representatives in 2018 and 65 in 1992, as reported by analysts referencing information from the Brookings Institution.

Adding to this trend, nine senators are also vacating their positions this cycle, bringing the total count of Congress members leaving Capitol Hill to 60—the highest for any election year in the 21st century.

Among those departing, 30 are Republicans and 21 are Democrats, with five Republicans and four Democrats exiting the Senate. Notable figures include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Dick Durbin and Tina Smith, and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, and Elise Stefanik.

Reasons for these departures vary widely. Some lawmakers cite aspirations for higher office or a desire to spend more time with family. Others express candid frustrations about the intense hostility and pressure associated with public service in today’s polarized environment.

Illinois Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is leaving to pursue an open Senate seat, remarked on the “toxic partisan atmosphere” that has developed over the past decade. “Over my 10 years here, I think Donald Trump has helped catalyze a real toxic partisan atmosphere,” he stated, reflecting on his experiences.

New Jersey Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, at age 81, voiced her discontent with the current political climate as a key factor in her decision to retire. “I still would have had Donald Trump as a president if I had stood again and retained my seat,” she lamented.

Maine Democratic Representative Jared Golden shared personal struggles, revealing that threats against his family had made the job untenable. In an op-ed for The Bangor Daily News, he reflected on the toll his position had taken on his loved ones, stating, “As a father, I have to consider whether the good I can achieve outweighs everything my family endures as a result.”

Veteran New York Representative Jerry Nadler expressed concerns about generational change within the party, citing President Biden’s visible aging in office as a catalyst for his retirement decision. “Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party,” he noted.

On the Republican side, some members may be hesitant to remain if their party faces significant losses in the upcoming elections. Such outcomes could embolden Democrats to challenge Trump’s influence further, potentially igniting a backlash from the former president.