Which members of Congress are not running for re-election in 2026?

With under a year until the 2026 midterm elections, lawmakers across both chambers of Congress are making key decisions as campaign season approaches. In total, 47 members of Congress 20 Democrats and 27 Republicans have announced they will not seek reelection. Of these, 20 are retiring, while 27 are pursuing higher or different offices.

House Retirements and Career Changes

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) confirmed she will not run for another term, concluding a 40-year career marked by her historic role as the first female House Speaker. At 85, Pelosi is the oldest lawmaker to retire ahead of next November. Other Democrats over 70 leaving the House include Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, Jerry Nadler of New York, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, and Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania. The youngest retiree is Jared Golden (D-Maine).

Additional House departures include Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Jess Chuy Garca (D-Ill.), and Troy Nehls (R-Texas). Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) will resign in January following a public dispute with former President Trump.

House Members Seeking Higher Office

Twenty-four House members are aiming for higher positions, comprising more than 5% of the chamber. Eleven have launched gubernatorial campaigns, including Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is running against New York Governor Kathy Hochul after her U.S. ambassador nomination was withdrawn. Others pursuing governor seats are Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), John James (R-Mich.), and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.).

Twelve House members are seeking Senate seats, including Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), and Chris Pappas (R-N.H.). Chip Roy (R-Texas) is running for Texas attorney general.

Senate Retirements and Campaign Moves

Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former Republican leader, announced he will not seek reelection following health concerns and a leadership step-down in 2024. He will retire alongside Republican colleagues Joni Ernst (Iowa) and Thom Tillis (N.C.). On the Democratic side, five senators are leaving: Dick Durbin (Ill.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Tina Smith (Minn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.).

Three senators have announced gubernatorial bids for 2026: Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). All three states have term-limited incumbent governors.

Analysis: Shifts in Congressional Landscape as 2026 Midterm Elections Approach

As the 2026 midterm elections draw near, a significant reshuffling of political roles is taking place, with key members of Congress stepping down or pursuing higher offices. The number of lawmakers not seeking reelection is noteworthy, with 47 members — 20 Democrats and 27 Republicans — either retiring or transitioning to new political careers. This represents a shift in the landscape that could shape the upcoming election cycle in unpredictable ways.

Among the most high-profile departures is former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has confirmed her retirement after 40 years of service. Pelosi’s exit marks the end of an era, given her pivotal role in the history of the House, and her departure at 85 adds an element of generational change. Other aging lawmakers, particularly those over 70, are also stepping down, signaling a wave of retirements and a generational shift in Congress.

The House will see 24 members — including a mix of Republicans and Democrats — seeking higher office, primarily targeting gubernatorial and Senate seats. These ambitions are a clear indication of the political ambitions among lawmakers looking to leverage their experience for state-level leadership. At the same time, multiple Senate retirements and announcements from senators seeking gubernatorial roles signal that both chambers will experience significant turnover, potentially altering the balance of power.

Ultimately, these developments illustrate a dynamic political environment where the composition of Congress could be dramatically reshaped in 2026. The decisions being made now — whether it’s retiring, pursuing higher office, or shifting political allegiances — will undoubtedly influence the strategies and outcomes of the coming election season.

Sources:

• Which congressional lawmakers aren’t seeking reelection in 2026?