The fight for control of Congress could be heavily influenced by the already large number of members retiring or seeking higher office.
More than three dozen members of Congress have already said they are planning to leave their seats, setting the stage for major turnover in the 2024 election.
Few of the departures that have been announced are expected to alter the balance of power in the closely divided House, where the vast majority of seats are gerrymandered to be safe for one of the two political parties, or in the Senate. But a handful are already putting crucial seats up for grabs.
Many of those who are leaving are expressing frustration about the polarization and paralysis that has gripped the institution particularly this year, as House Republicans, dominated by their far-right flank, have struggled to do the basic business of governing and feuded over who should lead them.
Here’s a look at the retirements that have been announced so far. A bolded name indicates a departure that could alter the balance of power in Congress, or lead to a competitive or potentially competitive race.
Members of Congress retiring from office
Senate
Senator Thomas R. Carper, Democrat of Delaware
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan
Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah
Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia
House
Representative Debbie Lesko, Republican of Arizona
Representative Tony Cardenas, Democrat of California
Representative Anna G. Eshoo, Democrat of California
Representative Grace F. Napolitano, Democrat of California
Representative Ken Buck, Republican of Colorado
Representative Victoria Spartz, Republican of Indiana
Representative John Sarbanes, Democrat of Maryland
Representative Dan Kildee, Democrat of Michigan
Representative Brian Higgins, Democrat of New York
Representative George Santos, Republican of New York
Representative Bill Johnson, Republican of Ohio
Representative Brad Wenstrup, Republican of Ohio
Representative Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon
Representative Kay Granger, Republican of Texas
Representative Michael C. Burgess, Republican of Texas
Representative Chris Stewart, Republican of Utah
Representative Jennifer Wexton, Democrat of Virginia
Representative Derek Kilmer, Democrat of Washington
Lawmakers seeking other office
President
Representative Dean Phillips, Democrat of Minnesota
Senate
Representative Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona
Representative Katie Porter, Democrat of California
Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California
Representative Barbara Lee, Democrat of California
Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Democrat of Delaware
Representative Jim Banks, Republican of Indiana
Representative David Trone, Democrat of Maryland
Representative Elissa Slotkin, Democrat of Michigan
Representative Andy Kim, Democrat of New Jersey
Representative Colin Allred, Democrat of Texas
Representative Alex X. Mooney, Republican of West Virginia
Governor
Senator Mike Braun, Republican of Indiana
Representative Abigail Spanberger, Democrat of Virginia
State Attorney General
Representative Dan Bishop, Republican of North Carolina
Representative Jeff Jackson, Democrat of North Carolina
Mayor
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat of Texas
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
