Politics


Voting With Their Feet


More members of Congress call it quits, adding to uncertainty over next year’s midterms.


A Alabama Barry Moore BY JOHN GIZZI


s of the end of october, 31 members of the U.S. House of Representatives had announced they are not


running again. Eight of them — five Democrats and


three Republicans — are simply retir- ing, while 12 representatives — six from each party — are seeking seats in the U.S. Senate.


Ten more Republicans are running


to be governor of their states, while another, Rep. Chip Roy, wants to be Texas attorney general. As 2025 evolves into ’26, the num-


ber of departees from the House is likely to grow, increasing the unpre- dictability of next year’s midterm elections, which are already being roiled by unusual redistricting moves in blue and red states.


In fact, the plans to change con- gressional boundaries in California, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, and other states suggest even more incumbents will reevaluate their survival chances and throw in the towel. So why, in an era when candidates


for Congress must spend at least $1 mil- lion just to win a seat, do so many call it quits after brief tenures? Many cite congressional dysfunc-


tion and an inability to accomplish anything significant, as well as a lack of bipartisanship in Washington. The weekly flight home, at taxpayer expense, and the Tuesday-to-Thursday work schedule in Washington, D.C., have curtailed across-the-aisle social- izing because lawmakers are now more likely to leave their families at home. Up until the mid-1990s, they typical-


ly brought their families to Washing- ton, purchased second homes, enrolled their children in D.C. schools, and came back to the districts only when Congress adjourned for the summer. The rest of the year, lawmakers


and their families enjoyed a biparti- san social life, enjoying meals togeth-


Incumbents Who Are Running for the U.S. Senate


Georgia Earl “Buddy” Carter


Georgia Mike Collins


Iowa Ashley Hinson


Illinois Robin Kelly


Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi


Kentucky Andy Barr


Massachusetts Seth Moulton


40 NEWSMAX | DECEMBER 2025


Minnesota Angie Craig


Michigan Haley Stevens


New Hampshire Chris Pappas


Texas Wesley Hunt


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