House GOP Bolts in Record Numbers Ahead of Midterm Bloodbath

[BumRushDaShow]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Yonnie3 (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Daily Beast

Updated Mar. 30 2026 5:53PM EDT
Published Mar. 30 2026 5:30PM EDT


A growing wave of Republican retirements is fueling alarm within the GOP, as lawmakers head for the exits ahead of what is predicted to be a brutal midterm cycle.

On Friday, Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri became the 36th Republican House member to announce they will not seek re-election in 2026, saying it was time to “pass the torch” to a new generation. That is compared to 21 House Democrats.

“After considerable reflection, 2026 will be my final year in Congress,” he wrote in an X post. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one. I believe in making room for the next generation. It’s time to pass the torch and allow a new guard of conservative leaders to step forward and chart a path forward for Missourians.”

Graves’ departure pushes the GOP’s retirement wave to its highest level ahead of a midterm in nearly a century, according to an ABC News analysis. The exodus now exceeds the 34 Republicans who chose not to run again in 2018, when Democrats flipped the House in a 40-seat wave during Trump’s first term.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/house-gop-bolts-in-record-numbers-ahead-of-midterm-bloodbath/

[littlemissmartypants]

1. ...

[3Hotdogs]

2. Sumpthin about being careful with the door on your way out.

[LiberalArkie]

3. I do not think is their worry about "being defeated" as much as not being in office when it all hits the fan.

I believe they feel if they are not in office then they can still get CEO and executive type pay somewhere else. History does not look favorably at the people who created a national failure after the fact. People are finally starting to realize that we as a nation has a big problem right now and it was not Obamas or Biden or even Clintons fault.I feel it goes back to Reagan and his wonderful "Create the billionaires" tax cut.

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. Their worry is that they will be held accountable for their parts in creating this mess.

So, they are hoping that they can 'retire', and everyone will forget them and their part in making the Empire of the United States a reality.

Knowing us, they will probably get away with it, as collectively, we seem to have a pretty short memory these days.

I would prefer that we make sure to express that we are going after those who allowed this horror show to happen, not just the ringleaders. That means every member of Congress who voted to allow that regime to do what it has done and those who ran interference for said regime as well. They all need to have the fear of 'gawd' put into them.

Including a few of their rabid 'attack dogs; wouldn't hurt, either. And maybe a few platforms that were unabashedly biased towards the regime.

[LiberalArkie]

7. Yea, no accountability is what Republicans do very well.

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. They are praying for it! (n/t)

[LiberalArkie]

9. Yea, This translation of this translation of this translation by a misogynistic who was never present to who he talked

about says that I can do this, little girl (or boy)"

[travelingthrulife]

11. Even farther. They started Fox News in response to Nixon's criminal departure.

It was meant to be a propaganda tool for the GOP.

[Raven123]

4. They made their money. They see what we see in Trump

Taking their profits and will now go into hiding.

[Mr. Sparkle]

5. I wish they would all leave now tbh

[LtTx]

10. Our rep is not running.....but

Troy Nehls is not running but his twin brother Trever Nehls is. And he will win, unfortunately. The Nehls name has a lot of recognition in the area. And sadly, Trever is just as maga.

[SergeStorms]

12. Nobody to blame but yourselves.

Instead of working for your constituents and looking out for their best interests, you chose to appease the petulant child who stole your political party.

Cowards and enablers, all.

[NH Ethylene]

13. And every departure is one less GOP incumbent to overcome.

Making a Dem sweep that much easier.

[Talitha]

14. I wonder if the party asked them to step down.

So they can be replaced by a POS that's more aggressive and evil?

[BumRushDaShow]

15. Some of those leaving are being primaried by complete loons

and others have been in there a long time and would have stayed if not for 45. The rest are claiming they are running for other offices (either for Senate (if a House member) or in their states for governor, etc).

[Talitha]

16. Thanks for the insight!

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Most welcome!

I have the NPR tracker in a tab and it's pretty wild!

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/nx-s1-5647318/congress-retirement-2026-house-senate-primary

(they update it as announcements happen)

[Yonnie3]

19. Locking

This story was well over 12 hours old when posted.

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