The 2026 primary season has concluded with historic levels of congressional turnover, according to NPR’s retirement tracker. A total of 99 seats—83 in the House and 16 in the Senate—are now guaranteed to have new members, representing approximately one in five lawmakers from the start of 2025. This figure may increase as numerous incumbents face competitive general election races later this year. Additionally, two senators whose seats are not up for election this cycle—Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar and Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn—are expected to resign from Congress to assume gubernatorial positions in their respective states.
The departure wave has been driven by multiple factors. In total, 13 senators and 60 House representatives have announced retirements or are pursuing different offices. Another 16 members across both chambers died or resigned during this period, while 13 incumbents lost their primary contests. The early timing and scale of retirement announcements have been attributed in part to voter dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and a Democratic push for younger legislators. Prominent departures include longtime California Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell.
The primary season saw an unusually high number of lawmakers attempt to run for higher office, with mixed results. Of the more than 30 members of Congress seeking positions such as Senate or governor, just over half secured their primary victories. High-profile primary defeats included Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York, and longtime Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado, among others. Several losses were connected to Trump-endorsed challengers or redistricting efforts.
Six lawmakers died during this period: Democratic Reps. Sylvester Turner, Raúl Grijalva, Gerry Connolly, and David Scott, Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. According to the Brookings Institution’s analysis of congressional history, only the 1992 midterm cycle saw comparable or greater numbers of retirements and candidates running for other offices. Republicans, as the party in power, experienced the largest share of departures, consistent with historical patterns in midterm elections where the sitting party typically loses ground.
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