Democrats' Retirement Problem Is Worse Than Republicans'

A higher number of Democrats than Republicans are leaving the House of Representatives after November's elections.

All members of Congress are up for reelection in November, when President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in a historic presidential race. But several members of Congress have opted to not run for reelection this year after a tumultuous Congress defined by leadership battles and few bills becoming law.

In total, 25 Democratic members of Congress have announced they are not seeking reelection in the House, the latest being Representative Annie Kuster of New Hampshire. Many plan to run for other offices. On the Republican side, 20 representatives have said they are not seeking reelection.

Retirement may be a greater problem for Democrats, as six are vacating districts Biden won by fewer than 10 points in 2020. Three others from North Carolina announced their exits after redistricting made their seats much more conservative.

Incumbent members of Congress are typically seen as having an advantage over new candidates. Several Democrats vacating competitive seats, such as Kuster or Michigan Representative Elissa Slotkin, have historically outrun Democratic presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, no Republicans representing competitive districts have announced plans to retire.

Republicans hold a narrow majority of Congress, with 218 seats compared to Democrats' 213. There are four vacancies. Both parties are vying for control of Congress next year, with experts viewing control of the House as a tossup that runs through a handful of districts roughly evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

Newsweek reached out to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for comment via email.

House members not seeking reelection

The following 25 Democrats are leaving the House after this year:

1. Ruben Gallego, Arizona (running for Senate)
2. Tony Cardenas, California (retiring)
3. Anna Eshoo, California (retiring)
4. Barbara Lee, California (opted not to seek reelection after unsuccessful Senate bid)
5. Katie Porter, California (opted not to seek reelection after unsuccessful Senate bid)
6. Grace Napolitano, California (retiring)
7. Adam Schiff, California (running for Senate)
8. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware (running for Senate)
9. John Sarbanes, Maryland (retiring)
10. David Trone, Maryland (running for Senate)
11. Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland (retiring)
12. Dan Kildee, Michigan (retiring)
13. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan (running for Senate)
14. Dean Phillips, Minnesota (ran for president)
15. Annie Kuster, New Hampshire (retiring)
16. Andy Kim, New Jersey (running for Senate)
17. Jeff Jackson, North Carolina (running for attorney general)
18. Kathy Manning, North Carolina (retiring)
19. Wiley Nickel, North Carolina (retiring)
20. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, a delegate representing the Northern Mariana Islands (retiring)
21. Earl Blumenauer, Oregon (retiring)
22. Collin Allred, Texas (running for Senate)
23. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia (running for governor)
24. Jennifer Wexton, Virginia (retiring)
25. Derek Kilmer, Washington (retiring).

The following 20 Republicans are leaving the House after this year (or have already left):

1. Debbie Lesko, Arizona (retiring)
2. Ken Buck, Colorado (retired this month)
3. Doug Lamborn, Colorado (retiring)
4. Jim Banks, Indiana (running for Senate)
5. Larry Bucshon, Indiana (retiring)
6. Greg Pence, Indiana (retiring)
7. Drew Ferguson, Georgia (retiring)
8. Blaine Luetkemeyer, Missouri (retiring)
9. Matt Rosendale, Montana (retiring)
10. Dan Bishop, North Carolina (running for attorney general)
11. Patrick McHenry, North Carolina (retiring)
12. Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota (running for governor)
13. Brad Wenstrup, Ohio (retiring)
14. Jeff Duncan, South Carolina (retiring)
15. Michael Burgess, Texas (retiring)
16. Kay Granger, Texas (retiring)
17. John Curtis, Utah (running for Senate)
18. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington (retiring)
19. Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin (retiring)
20. Alexander Mooney, West Virginia (running for Senate).