The Republican ship is SINKING : According to a recent tally, a total of 50 members of Congress — 10 senators and 40 House members — have already announced they will not run for re-election in 2026.

Among those, Republicans account for a significant share: 4 GOP senators and 22–23 GOP House representatives.

The wave of departures is the largest at this stage of an election cycle since 2018. What’s Behind the Departures?

The high number of GOP retirements reflects internal turmoil and uncertainty within the party, perhaps a lack of confidence in their prospects heading into the 2026 cycle.

Since our Oct. 20 update, six representatives have announced that they will not seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2026. Here are the six members who have announced their retirements since our last update, as well as how independent race forecasters have rated the 2026 general election for each district these incumbents currently represent:

NPR is tracking the record number of congressional lawmakers who have announced they do not plan to run for reelection to their current seats in 2026. That number currently stands at 10 senators and 42 House members.

There are 23 retiring from public office with the rest running for a different office — 16 looking to become governor of their state, 12 looking to make the jump from House to Senate and one, Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, is looking to become his state’s attorney general.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet are not up for reelection in 2026, but would resign their seats if they win their respective gubernatorial races. Mikie Sherrill resigned her New Jersey House seat effective Nov. 20 after winning her race for governor earlier in the month.