The midterm elections for Congress won’t take place until November, but already a record number of members have declared they will not run again — 43 in the House and 10 in the Senate.

Perhaps the most high-profile departure is Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who announced in November that she will resign from Congress entirely on Jan. 5, a full year before her term was set to expire. 

Political d y n a m i c s help explain the rush to the exits, including frustrations with gridlock and President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings, which could hurt Republicans at the ballot box. 

Rather than face what could be a “blue wave” favoring Democrats — or the monumental effort it would take to survive — many Republicans have decided to retire early. 

So far, two dozen Republican House members have either resigned or announced they will not seek reelection in 2026. With only two exceptions — Republicans in 2018 and 2020 — this is more departures from either party at this point in the election calendar than in any other cycle over the past 20 years. 

Some House Republicans worry Greene’s announcement could be a warning sign, prompting additional resignations. 

Why members leave Congress

Many departures are true retirements by older, more experienced members. 

For example, 78-year-old Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler is retiring after 34 years amid pressure from challengers and a growing consensus among Democrats that it is time for older politicians to step aside. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will turn 86 in March, is also retiring. 

Some members leave for career opportunities outside Congress. Retiring lawmakers are attractive hires for lobbying firms and corporations because of their insider knowledge and connections. These positions often pay more than a congressional salary, which helps explain why more than half of all living former members work as lobbyists. 

Other members use their congressional seat as a springboard for another office. Some House members retire to run for the Senate, such as Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan. Others pursue executive positions, including governor, such as Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. 

Some members cite frustration with the job or inability to get things done. Many point to dysfunction within their own party or Congress as a whole. In announcing his departure in June, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said it was “not a hard choice” to leave the Senate “between spending another six years navigating the political theater and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with my family.” 

What’s unique about 2026

Several factors help explain why so many Republicans are leaving ahead of 2026. 

Mid-decade redistricting has shifted district boundaries in several states, forcing incumbents to reevaluate priorities. Unfamiliar districts can drive early retirements by weakening connections with established constituencies. In Texas, six Republicans and three Democrats — nearly a quarter of the state’s House delegation — are either retiring or running for other offices, partly due to the state’s new gerrymander. 

Electoral and partisan considerations also influence retirements. “Thermostatic politics” predicts that parties in power, particularly the president’s party, tend to lose seats in midterms. In 2006 and 2018, for example, Republicans faced backlash under Presidents George W. Bush and Trump. Republicans performed better in midterms under President Barack Obama. 

The national environment for Republicans in 2026 appears challenging. Trump remains unpopular, polls show, and Democrats hold a consistent lead in the generic ballot question, which asks which party voters plan to support without naming candidates. Democrats have also been outperforming Republicans in special elections and recent gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia. Even Republicans in seemingly safe districts may see potential danger and retire in advance. 

Retirement vs. resignation

A final, notable aspect of this cycle is institutional. House conservatives are quietly rebelling against Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership. Some members may resign in advance rather than merely retire, leaving seats temporarily vacant. 

These departures could affect policy, given the narrow Republican majority in the House. Whatever happens in November, the exodus highlights dissatisfaction within Congress and signals potential chaos ahead. 

The writer is an associate professor of political science at Boise State University.