Who is leaving Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms?

With the 2026 midterms approaching, a wave of congressional departures is reshaping the political landscape on Capitol Hill. Members from both parties are announcing retirements, resignations, and bids for higher office — developments that could play a pivotal role in determining which party controls the U.S. House next year.

Republicans are defending a razor-thin majority, and several of the lawmakers heading for the exits have been among President Donald Trump’s most outspoken allies. For Democrats, every retirement represents a potential opening as they work to retake the majority.

Retirements are often viewed as an early barometer of political headwinds, signaling churn, internal frustration, or a strategic calculation about the road ahead. And so far, the list is long — stretching across senior committee chairs, high-profile party figures, and members from battleground districts.

Read more: https://thenationaldesk.com/news/amer...

--------------------------------------

The National Desk (TND) brings you award-winning local storytelling from Sinclair Broadcast Group's local TV newsrooms across the United States and feeds from sources throughout the world.

Like us on Facebook for live feeds, video:   / tnd  
Follow us on Instagram:   / tnd  
Follow us on TikTok:   / tndtok  
Follow us on X: https://x.com/TND
Read more & watch our videos: http://thenationaldesk.com

TND covers content from Sinclair's stations in:
Abilene-San Angelo, TX : KTXS
Albany, GA : WFXL
Albany, NY : WRGB
Amarillo, TX : KVII
Asheville, NC : WLOS
Austin , TX : KEYE
Bakersfield, CA : KBAK/KBFX
Baltimore : WBFF
Beaumont, TX : KFDM/KBTV
Birmingham, AL : WBMA
Boise, ID : KBOI/KYUU
Bristol, VA : WCYB
Cedar Rapids, IA : KGAN/KFXA
Champaign, IL : WCCU
Charleston, SC : WCIV
Charleston, WV : WCHS/WVAH
Chattanooga, TN : WTVC
Cincinnati, OH : WKRC/WSTR
Columbia, SC : WACH
Columbus, OH : WSYX/WTTE
Dayton, OH : WKEF/WRGT
El Paso, TX : KFOX/KDBC
Eugene, OR : KVAL/KMTR
Eureka, CA : KAEF
Flint, MI : WEYI/WBSF
Fresno, CA : KMPH
Gainesville, FL : WGFL
Green Bay, WI : WLUK
Greenville-New Bern, NC : WCTI
Harlingen, TX : KGBT
Harrisburg, PA : WHP
Jefferson City, MO : KRCG
Johnstown, PA : WJAC
Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids, MI : WWMT
Kirksville-Ottumwa, IA : KTVO
Las Vegas, NV : KSNV
Lewiston, ID : KLEW
Lincoln, NE : KHGI/KWNB
Little Rock, AR : KATV
Lynchburg, VA : WSET
Macon, GA : WGXA
Medford, OR : KTVL
Mobile, AL : WPMI
Myrtle Beach, SC : WPDE
Nashville, TN : WZTV
Oklahoma City : KOCB/KOKH
Pasco, WA : KEPR
Pensacola, FL : WEAR/WFGX
Portland, ME : WGME/WPFO
Portland, OR : KATU/KUNP
Providence, RI : WJAR
Quincy-Hannibal, IL : KHQA
Redding-Chico, CA : KRCR
Reno, NV : KRNV/KRXI
Rochester, NY : WHAM
Salt Lake City : KUTV
San Antonio, TX : KABB/WOAI
Savannah, GA : WTGS
Seattle, WA : KOMO/KUNS
Sioux City, IA : KMEG/KPTH
South Bend, IN : WSBT
Springfield, IL : WICS
Steubenville, OH : WTOV
Syracuse, NY : WSTM
Toledo, OH : WNWO
Traverse City, MI : WPBN
Tulsa, OK : KTUL
Washington DC : WJLA
West Palm Beach, FL : WPEC
Wilkes-Barre, PA : WOLF
Yakima, WA : KIMA

This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com