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The Conversation
The Conversation
Charlie Hunt, Associate Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

Who thinks Republicans will suffer in the 2026 midterms? Republican members of Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson will have to defend a narrow majority in the 2026 elections. A near-record number of retiring Republicans won't make that task easier. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The midterm elections for Congress won’t take place until November, but already a record number of members have declared their intention not to run – a total of 43 in the House, plus 10 senators. Perhaps the most high-profile person to depart, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, announced her intention in November not just to retire but to resign from Congress entirely on Jan. 5 – a full year before her term was set to expire.

There are political dynamics that explain this rush to the exits, including frustrations with gridlock and President Donald Trump’s lackluster approval ratings, which could hurt Republicans at the ballot box.

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