{"id":2554218,"date":"2026-01-27T13:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T18:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/where-house-and-senate-retirements-stand-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:38:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T18:38:26","slug":"where-house-and-senate-retirements-stand-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/where-house-and-senate-retirements-stand-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Where House and Senate retirements stand in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhere-house-and-senate-retirements-stand-in-2026%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2554218&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Almost 11% of members of Congress are planning to leave their current posts after the 2026 midterms, creating an unusually large wave of retirements and primary bids. In the House, 48 members will not return to the 119th Congress: 22 are retiring from politics, 11 are running for governor, 14 are running for Senate, and one (Rep. Chip Roy) is seeking a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >state attorney general post<\/a>. Several high-profile departures include Nancy Pelosi, Marjorie Taylor Greene (who left early), and other long-serving Democrats and Republicans such as Jerry Nadler, Elise Stefanik, Michael McCaul, and Don Bacon. Eleven senators are also stepping down, including Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, and Cynthia Lummis; a few are running for governor, forcing appointments or competitive primaries in some states. Many House departures come from safe seats, limiting immediate impacts on control of the chamber, though some swing districts could flip. Candidates from both parties are eyeing competitive Senate battles in states like Texas and Illinois, and several GOP hopefuls face crowded primaries. Strategists attribute the exodus to a toxic,hyper-partisan workplace,fallout from Jan. 6, concerns about political violence, and desire for different or higher offices.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Here&rsquo;s where House and Senate retirements stand for 2026<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Almost 11% of lawmakers are looking to make a change after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\">2026 midterm elections<\/a>, with several in both chambers either retiring or seeking higher office.<\/p>\n<p>The House received its first departure on Jan. 5. Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marjorie-taylor-greene\/\">Marjorie Taylor Greene<\/a> (R-GA) announced in November that she would retire at the beginning of the year and not finish out her term, which ends in early 2027.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4434079\/dhs-grapples-with-public-relations-nightmare-alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis\/\">DHS grapples with PR nightmare after Alex Pretti shooting in Minneapolis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4435334\/eleanor-holmes-norton-retirement-statement\/\">Eleanor Holmes Norton says it&#8217;s time to &#8216;lift up&#8217; next generation in retirement statement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4435421\/watch-live-trump-to-talk-energy-economy-iowa\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump to talk energy and economy in Iowa<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>But by the end of 2026, 48 other House members will not be returning to their seats. Of those members, 22 are stepping away from public office, 11 are seeking a governorship, and 14 are looking to make the jump to the Senate. One lawmaker, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), is running for attorney general.<\/p>\n<p>The 48 House members leaving the 119th <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a>, plus the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4074633\/cynthia-lummis-senator-retire-2026\/\">11 senators<\/a> not seeking reelection, have set a modern record for announcing their departures this far ahead of a major election for both chambers. It is also the most Senate turnover since 2012.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-canva wp-block-embed-canva\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"House republicans not seeking reelection in 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAG8Wa7OtBU\/skL3ho7RQbMsEjlsY7GksQ\/view?embed&amp;meta\" height=\"464\" width=\"696\" style=\"border: none; border-radius: 8px; width: 696px; height: 464px;\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allow=\"fullscreen\"><\/iframe> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prominent-house-democrats-and-republicans-say-goodbye-to-politics\"><strong>Prominent House Democrats and Republicans say goodbye to politics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Among the most prominent Democrats retiring is Speaker Emerita <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-pelosi\/\">Nancy Pelosi<\/a> (D-CA). She is leaving Capitol Hill after nearly 40 years in Congress, leaving behind a legacy that includes becoming the first female speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Other establishments lawmakers saying goodbye include Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Chuy Garc&iacute;a (D-IL), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jerry-nadler\/\">Jerry Nadler<\/a> (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jan-schakowsky\/\">Jan Schakowsky<\/a> (D-IL), and Dwight Evans (D-PA), who have opted to pass on the torch to a new generation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who has represented the District of Columbia for over three decades, officially <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4432801\/eleanor-holmes-norton-ends-reelection-campaign\/\">announced her retirement<\/a> on Jan. 27 after months of questions from reporters whether she&rsquo;d seek another term. Norton and her team were often on opposite wavelengths when answering questions about her political future, with the congresswoman offering a resounding &ldquo;yes&rdquo; while her staff said she was still deciding.<\/p>\n<p>The retirement of household names comes as Democrats&rsquo; progressive base has been itching for new blood in Congress in the wake of significant losses in the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\"> 2024 election<\/a>. Younger leaders and voters are pushing for their Democratic leaders to fight more against President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>, though legislatively, they often have their hands tied due to the GOP holding the majority in all three branches of government.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jared-golden\/\">Jared Golden<\/a> (D-ME) is leaving politics because he is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2025\/11\/05\/opinion\/opinion-contributor\/jared-golden-why-i-wont-seek-reelection-column\/\">tired<\/a> of the atmosphere and hyper-partisanship that&rsquo;s grown on Capitol Hill, as well as the rise in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/political-violence\/\">political violence<\/a> in the wake of the assassinations of Charlie Kirk and Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman, attempts on Trump&rsquo;s life, and other instances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On the Republican side, lawmakers such as Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michael-mccaul\/\">Michael McCaul<\/a> (R-TX), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/don-bacon\/\">Don Bacon<\/a> (R-NE) are leaving after many years of service in the House. Arrington, in particular, is retiring after helping facilitate the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is set to be the Republicans&rsquo; cornerstone piece of legislation for the 119th Congress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bacon and Newhouse have not been afraid to be outspoken against Trump and his policies throughout his two terms in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> &mdash; a rare trait for a Republican member in politics, now that Trump has cemented himself as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/where-house-retirements-stand-as-2025-comes-to-a-close\/\" title=\"Where ... ... stand as 2025 comes to a close\">highly influential leader<\/a> of the GOP and is not afraid to launch primary challenges to replace centrists with his allies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Notably, many lawmakers on both the Democratic and Republican sides are giving up their reelection bids in safe seats, which won&rsquo;t make or break either party&rsquo;s ability to get the House majority. Swing districts, such as Bacon&rsquo;s and Golden&rsquo;s, are likely to end up in the hands of the opposite party, but that will offset and not affect the numbers much, either.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-canva wp-block-embed-canva\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"House Democrats not seeking reelection in 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAG8WZglT0Q\/G_xskvJldJ6nTZBXsFQi1A\/view?embed&amp;meta\" height=\"464\" width=\"696\" style=\"border: none; border-radius: 8px; width: 696px; height: 464px;\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allow=\"fullscreen\"><\/iframe> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lawmakers-seeking-other-offices\"><strong>Lawmakers seeking other offices<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Many are eyeing a seat in the Senate, a chamber that is not without its hurdles but often is considered a more prominent position in Congress, given that senators have longer terms and do not have to run for reelection every two years.<\/p>\n<p>Among Democrats seeking a Senate seat are Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jasmine-crockett\/\">Jasmine Crockett<\/a> (D-TX), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/seth-moulton\/\">Seth Moulton<\/a> (D-MA), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-pappas\/\">Chris Pappas<\/a> (D-NH), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Haley Stevens (D-MI). All are looking to fill a position left vacant by a retiring senator.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a> Senate race will be one of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4432160\/bitter-senate-primaries-offer-democrats-midterms-roadmap\/\">most-watched races of the 2026 cycle<\/a>, given the competitive primaries from both parties. In Illinois, a Democrat is likely to succeed Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dick-durbin\/\">Dick Durbin<\/a> (D-IL), but a heated primary will make for an interesting election season in a blue state.<\/p>\n<p>On the Republican side, Reps. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ashley-hinson\/\">Ashley Hinson<\/a> (R-IA), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Barry Moore (R-AL), Andy Barr (R-KY), Mike Collins (R-GA), and Buddy Carter (R-GA) are running for the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>While most hope easily to replace outgoing senators, a few &mdash; such as Hunt and Moore &mdash; are wading into messy GOP primaries. Hunt will face off against incumbent Sen.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\"> John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX) and Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, while Moore will square off against at least three other strong contenders. Colleagues Carter and Collins will battle each other for the GOP nomination.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Among Republicans, some members have simply hit a ceiling in Congress or party leadership and see greater opportunity back home,&rdquo; Republican strategist Dennis Lennox said. &ldquo;Others are fed up with a House that can&rsquo;t legislate and a Senate where almost nothing clears the 60-vote threshold.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Lennox said 2026 is projected to be a &ldquo;bad cycle&rdquo; for Republicans, if the numbers and trends hold. But, he said, &ldquo;Republicans won&rsquo;t lose the majority because incumbents chose not to run again.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Many House members want to leave Capitol Hill altogether, but don&rsquo;t want to stop their political careers. On the GOP side, most members who are leaving the House are seeking a governorship: Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-mace\/\">Nancy Mace<\/a> (R-SC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and David Schweikert (R-AZ), to name a few.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The only Democrat running for governor is Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\">Eric Swalwell<\/a> (D-CA).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>    <iframe style=\"height:460px;width:760px\" src=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/e\/2PACX-1vT2-JwtxOz1tswWlkta_EgLO1P1zwHAQxNd_azpRcdu5AUQyCsM5LKURklyFXLgkkKX2omQlc7F-JcM\/pubhtml?widget=true&amp;headers=false\"><\/iframe>    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-senators-head-for-the-door-after-long-careers-on-the-hill\"><strong>Senators head for the door after long careers on the Hill<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This cycle, 11 senators are opting to retire, with three seeking a governorship while the remaining nine are eyeing a peaceful end to their political careers &mdash; for now.<\/p>\n<p>The most notable, yet not shocking, of the 11 retirements comes from Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3324898\/mcconnell-senate-retirement-seven-terms\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcconnell-wins-gop-senate-leadership-election-fends-off-challenge-from-rick-scott\/\" title=\"McConnell Wins ... ... Leadership Election, Fends Off Challenge From Rick Scott\">longest-serving party leader<\/a><\/a> in Senate history, McConnell will leave Capitol Hill after serving in the upper chamber since 1984. He leaves behind a legacy of cementing a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and steering Washington toward being a dominating world power.<\/p>\n<p>There is a competitive field to replace McConnell, including former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris. The latter has the backing of Elon Musk, who donated $10 million to his campaign. Musk <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3361316\/elon-musk-top-2024-donors-worries-grow-political-influence\/\">emerged as a top donor<\/a> in the 2024 election, dropping at least $250 million on Trump&rsquo;s comeback bid alone.<\/p>\n<p>Other notable retirements include Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who has been a vocal thorn in Trump&rsquo;s side over many issues, is also departing the upper chamber.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) are running for governor of their respective states.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bennet is up for reelection to the Senate in 2028, with Blackburn up in 2030 &mdash; meaning someone will have to be appointed to finish out their terms. For Tennessee, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) has already expressed interest he would like to succeed Blackburn in the Senate via appointment. Tuberville&rsquo;s term in the Senate expires in 2027, so no one will need to be appointed to finish out his term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-the-cause-of-all-these-retirements-nbsp\"><strong>What&rsquo;s the cause of all these retirements?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The departure of so many members is not surprising to many strategists.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Congress has been a bad workplace for a long time,&rdquo; said Doug Heye, a Republican strategist who&rsquo;s held communications positions in the House, Senate, and for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-national-committee\/\">Republican National Committee<\/a>. Though noting it has been a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/yellen-touts-biden-spending-plan-then-promises-inflation-wont-reach-1970s-levels\/\" title=\"Yellen Touts Biden Spending Plan, Then Promises Inflation Won\u2019t Reach 1970s Levels\">long-standing problem<\/a> for years due to a lack of appropriations and previous shutdowns, he largely attributes the decline in Congress as a positive place for employment to the events of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/january-6\/\">Jan. 6, 2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He said after that, bipartisan relationships &ldquo;have fallen apart.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Democrats immediately said, &lsquo;These 20 members, take me off any of their bills that I&rsquo;m a co-sponsor on.&rsquo; And I get it. So it became a worse workplace. Then we had a 15-round vote for speaker &mdash; bad workplace. We had a speaker deposed for no reason, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-legislature-votes-to-repeal-state-song-over-ties-to-confederacy\/\" title=\"Maryland Legislature Votes To Repeal State Song Over Ties To Confederacy\">speaker pro temp<\/a>, God love [former Rep.] <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/patrick-mchenry\/\">Patrick McHenry<\/a>, for three weeks &mdash; bad workplace. And now we have discharge petitions that are going through. Bad workplace,&rdquo; Heye said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s hard to talk to a member of Congress, Republican or Democratic, who likes their day job.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Heye said he thinks if House members were abandoning ship because of a fear of Trump or a fear of elections, they wouldn&rsquo;t seek other offices. He pointed to Hinson, who could easily win in her red district but is instead looking to move forward to a higher position.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll see if any of them are happy in those higher offices,&rdquo; Heye said. &ldquo;But the primary fear for me is, the House of Representatives is an especially toxic workplace, and it&rsquo;s what we see playing out every day. But we&rsquo;re all spectators, we&rsquo;re not participants.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4432160\/bitter-senate-primaries-offer-democrats-midterms-roadmap\/\"><strong>BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF DEMOCRATS SEEN THROUGH PRISM OF BITTER SENATE PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>GOP strategist John Feehery agreed that Congress is &ldquo;not an easy lifestyle.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am not sure if it is a sign that the House is gone, but clearly some members want different jobs in the public sector and some just want to make more money,&rdquo; Feehery said. &ldquo;It is an interesting time to be in Congress as a Republican. The party is changing, becoming more populist, and with Trump in the White House, they have an opportunity to get a lot done legislatively.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026: Lawmakers retire, run for higher office<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2554219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/house-retirements-2026-e1766167276539.jpg?1766149259&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[42974,70819,67970],"class_list":["post-2554218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-2026-elections","tag-congressional-retirements","tag-house-retirements"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/house-retirements-2026-e1766167276539.jpg?1766149259&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2554218"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2554222,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554218\/revisions\/2554222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2554219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2554218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2554218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2554218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}