Congress Shake-Up: Who's Leaving and Why?

A significant number of lawmakers are saying goodbye to Congress after the 2026 midterms. As of mid-December 2025, 54 representatives and senators have decided not to return. This includes both retirements and those seeking different political roles. Some big names are stepping down, like California's Nancy Pelosi and Kentucky's Mitch McConnell. Others, like Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene, are resigning after public clashes. Many are eyeing state or local offices, with 15 aiming for governor and 13 moving from the House to the Senate. Texas Rep. Chip Roy is one example, aiming for the state's attorney general role. Meanwhile, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet could resign if they win their gubernatorial races.Since 2017, nearly 900 people have served in Congress. Retirement is the most common exit, with over 140 lawmakers choosing this path from 2017 to 2024. Many older Democrats are making way for younger leaders, like Sens. Dick Durbin and Jeanne Shaheen. Redistricting plays a big role in these decisions. Republican-led states are redrawing boundaries to gain advantages, while Democratic-led states like California are doing the same. The Supreme Court's approval of Texas' new map has already led to nine incumbents retiring or seeking new roles.