A growing number of Republicans in Congress are bowing out ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, raising fresh questions about the party’s internal cohesion and its grip on the House, where it currently holds only a slim majority.
Why It Matters
Republican exits are reportedly outpacing Democratic departures by nearly two to one, fueling concerns about the party’s stability and its ability to defend or expand its power in Washington.
Retirements often signal frustration, burnout, or strategic repositioning inside a party, and they can create openings that alter the balance of power in Congress. Similar waves of retirements in previous cycles have coincided with major shifts in control of the House.
This latest round of departures is unfolding as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson faces unrest within his own ranks over his stewardship of the chamber.
Key Numbers and Trends
As of now, 31 Republicans have announced they will not run for reelection in 2026.
This tally includes both lawmakers who have already left early and those who plan to depart at the end of their terms. Among them is Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who said she would resign in January following a public dispute with President Donald Trump.
Republicans are stepping aside for a variety of reasons, including full retirement from public life and bids for higher office such as governor, U.S. senator, or state attorney general.
- Retiring from public office: Troy Nehls of Texas, Jodey Arrington of Texas, Michael McCaul of Texas, Morgan Luttrell of Texas, and Don Bacon of Nebraska.
- Running for the U.S. Senate: Wesley Hunt of Texas, Ashley Hinson of Iowa, Barry Moore of Alabama, Mike Collins of Georgia, Earl “Buddy” Carter of Georgia, and Andy Barr of Kentucky.
- Running for governor: Elise Stefanik of New York, David Schweikert of Arizona, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Randy Feenstra of Iowa, John James of Michigan, John Rose of Tennessee, Byron Donalds of Florida, and Andy Biggs of Arizona.
- Running for state attorney general: Chip Roy of Texas is mounting a campaign for Texas attorney general.
The rate of retirements is on pace to mirror previous high-turnover cycles. During the 2018 midterms—when Democrats recaptured the House—there had been 20 Republican retirement announcements by this stage, according to Ballotpedia.
Full List of Republicans Leaving Congress
The following Republicans have announced they are leaving Congress or seeking other offices:
- Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida – Resigned early
- Representative Mark Green of Tennessee – Resigned early
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia – Resigning early
- Representative Troy Nehls of Texas – Retiring
- Representative Jodey Arrington of Texas – Retiring
- Representative Michael McCaul of Texas – Retiring
- Representative Morgan Luttrell of Texas – Retiring
- Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska – Retiring
- Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – Retiring
- Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa – Retiring
- Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina – Retiring
- Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas – Running for Senate
- Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa – Running for Senate
- Representative Barry Moore of Alabama – Running for Senate
- Representative Mike Collins of Georgia – Running for Senate
- Representative Earl “Buddy” Carter of Georgia – Running for Senate
- Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky – Running for Senate
- Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee – Running for Governor
- Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama – Running for Governor
- Representative Elise Stefanik of New York – Running for Governor
- Representative David Schweikert of Arizona – Running for Governor
- Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin – Running for Governor
- Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina – Running for Governor
- Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina – Running for Governor
- Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota – Running for Governor
- Representative Randy Feenstra of Iowa – Running for Governor
- Representative John James of Michigan – Running for Governor
- Representative John Rose of Tennessee – Running for Governor
- Representative Byron Donalds of Florida – Running for Governor
- Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona – Running for Governor
- Representative Chip Roy of Texas – Running for Texas Attorney General
What Comes Next
This surge of Republican departures is unfolding as both parties maneuver in redistricting fights and prepare for the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.
Most of the soon-to-be-open GOP seats are in reliably Republican areas, but a handful—including those held by Don Bacon and David Schweikert—sit in swing or competitive districts. Those races could become crucial battlegrounds and further complicate Republicans’ efforts to maintain control of the House.
The retirement wave also underscores deeper frustrations inside the party, as disputes over leadership, Trump’s influence, and a sputtering legislative agenda spill out into public view.
With months still to go before filing deadlines close, the total number of Republican retirements is expected to climb, and each new announcement will help shape the terrain on which the 2026 midterms are fought.
