Record Wave of Lawmakers Quitting Congress

A historic wave of retirements is sweeping through Congress, with 60 lawmakers—51 from the House and nine from the Senate—announcing they will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the highest number of departures this century.
While reasons vary from personal choices like age, health, and family time to political ambitions for higher office, a common thread of frustration with the toxic, gridlocked, and hyper-partisan environment in Washington is driving many out.
The exodus is particularly pronounced among House Republicans, with 30 retiring compared to 21 Democrats, a dynamic that echoes the 2018 cycle and signals a challenging midterm election ahead as Democrats need to net just three seats to flip the chamber.
These open seats, especially in competitive districts, are poised to become major battlegrounds, with retiring members citing the unbearable atmosphere under a potential second Trump term, constant security threats, and the sheer difficulty of accomplishing anything in a deeply divided Congress as key factors in their decisions to leave.