Nearly 10 percent of the House of Representatives is walking away from Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms, signaling a dramatic shift in Capitol Hill’s makeup.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The final two years of President Donald Trump’s current term are set to unfold under a markedly different Congress, as a wave of retirements reshapes the House. Forty members—close to one-tenth of the chamber—have already announced they won’t seek reelection in 2026, with more expected to step down following the Christmas recess.
According to a detailed analysis, the pace of resignations has reached levels not seen in more than a decade. At this time in December 2023, only 30 lawmakers had declared plans to leave. By comparison, during the 2018 cycle—when Republicans lost 42 seats and control of the House—just 32 members had exited by late 2017.
Current tallies show Republicans leading Democrats 23 to 17 in retirement announcements, according to data from The Downballot. Historically, retirements tend to spike for the party holding the White House in the run-up to midterm elections—a trend that could accelerate as redistricting fights intensify. Pending map redraws in states such as Texas, California, Florida, and Virginia are expected to further influence lawmakers’ decisions.
Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Mark Green of Tennessee have already stepped down before completing their terms. Yet, GOP analysts note that most outgoing Republicans represent solidly conservative districts, limiting the threat of significant losses.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon—one of Trump’s more vocal critics—is the lone Republican vacating a seat widely projected to flip to Democrats next cycle.
Many Republican retirees are pursuing higher office instead of leaving politics altogether. Among them are Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Elise Stefanik of New York, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina, each seeking statewide positions.
In Texas, a cluster of departures from relatively young members has drawn attention. Reps. Morgan Luttrell, 50; Jodey Arrington, 53; Troy Nehls, 57; and Michael McCaul, 63, are all declining reelection bids despite facing no serious primary threats.
Rep. Troy Nehls’ announcement came with a twist—his immediate endorsement of his twin brother Trevor to replace him in Congress. “I’ve got this guy. He’s a good looking guy. He looks a lot like me,” Nehls joked Wednesday, referring to Trevor Nehls, who filed for the Houston-area seat days before the deadline. President Trump wasted no time endorsing Trevor Nehls for the solid red district.
On the Democratic side, age and leadership fatigue are driving much of the exodus. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 85, will retire alongside several senior Democrats, including Reps. Jan Schakowsky, 81; Bonnie Watson Coleman, 80; Nydia Velazquez, 72; and Jerry Nadler, 78. Meanwhile, former Pelosi lieutenants Steny Hoyer, 86, and Jim Clyburn, 85, have yet to reveal whether they’ll seek reelection.
Some of the House’s oldest Republicans, however, are opting to stay in the fight. Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers, 87, and Texas Rep. John Carter, 84, have filed to run again. Trump reaffirmed his support for the Texas incumbent, writing on Truth Social, “Judge Carter has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” posted Thursday.
With dozens of seasoned lawmakers stepping aside, the 2026 contests are shaping up to usher in one of the most significant generational turnovers in recent congressional history.
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