OTB33-Congressional retirements and departures — an early look - On The Ballot

On this episode: As of May 6, 2025, fourteen members of Congress had announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. This group includes five senators—three Democrats and one Republican—and nine representatives, comprising four Democrats and five Republicans. Among the House members, one Democrat is retiring from public office, while the others are pursuing higher offices: four are running for the U.S. Senate, and four Republicans are entering gubernatorial races. These early announcements mark the second-highest number of congressional retirements at this point in the election cycle since 2018, indicating a significant shift in the upcoming political landscape.What’s that all mean for the 2026 midterms? 

Starring: Norm Leahy