Politics2d ago·39 sources

A record number of congressional lawmakers are opting not to seek reelection in 2026, with 10 senators and 25 House members having announced their departures. This trend is particularly notable for senators leaving Washington to run for governor, a path that has seen a significant increase in recent years. Experts suggest this surge in retirements and moves to gubernatorial races is driven by factors such as partisan gridlock in Congress, the desire for a higher political profile, and a general perception that Washington has become a less attractive place to serve. The article highlights that this pattern is more pronounced during the Trump administration, with a significant portion of lawmakers from the 115th Congress no longer in office. Reasons for departure range from seeking other offices to personal reasons and the increased scrutiny on older lawmakers.