• Former senators and representatives from both parties are seeking to return to Washington for the 2026 midterms
• Record-breaking 55 current lawmakers have announced plans not to seek reelection in their current seats
• Redistricting battles and open seats created by gubernatorial races are driving comeback attempts

WASHINGTON (TDR) — At least a dozen former members of Congress are launching Congress comeback campaigns 2026, seeking to return to Washington as more than 55 sitting lawmakers announce they will not seek reelection to their current seats. The exodus represents over 10 percent of Congress and marks a modern record for announcements this far ahead of an election.

High-Profile Democrats Lead Comeback Efforts

Former Sherrod Brown launched his Senate comeback bid in August after losing his Ohio seat in 2024 by less than four percentage points. Brown, who served in the Senate from 2007 to 2025, will face Republican Jon Husted in a special election to fill the remainder of Vice President JD Vance’s term.

“I didn’t plan to run for office again, but when I see what’s going on, I know I can do something about it for Ohio.”

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Former Representative Cori Bush announced in October she would seek to reclaim Missouri’s 1st Congressional District after losing one of the most expensive primary races in American history. Bush lost to Representative Wesley Bell in August 2024, with Bell’s campaign receiving over $8 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The rematch promises to be contentious, with progressive groups rallying behind Bush’s comeback attempt.

Redistricting Fuels Return Campaigns

The mid-decade redistricting push has created opportunities for several former lawmakers to mount comeback bids. Former Representative Ben McAdams is expected to launch a run for a Utah House seat after a court mandated a new congressional map. In Virginia, former Representative Elaine Luria is likely to run for her old seat if Democrats’ redistricting efforts succeed.

In California, the creation of a Latino-opportunity seat in Los Angeles County opened a comeback bid for former Representative Hilda Solis, who left Congress in 2009 to serve as President Barack Obama’s Labor secretary. Several other former members are eyeing seats now open due to incumbents running for governor or Senate.

Long-Term Absences Don’t Deter Candidates

Some comeback attempts involve lawmakers who have been gone for decades. Former Representative Van Hilleary of Tennessee, who retired in 2003 after losing a gubernatorial race, is now running to replace Representative John Rose, who is leaving to run for governor. Hilleary previously served as Rose’s chief of staff.

“It’s better than throwing my shoe at the television, right? So it’s hard to stay on the sidelines.”

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Former Representative Melissa Bean of Illinois is seeking to return to Congress 16 years after losing reelection. Bean is looking to return to her old district now that incumbent Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi is running for Senate.

Historic Congressional Turnover Expected

According to NPR’s congressional retirement tracker, 55 current representatives and senators will not seek reelection to their current seats in 2026. The breakdown includes 11 senators and 44 House members, with 25 retiring from public office entirely and the remainder running for different offices.

The 54 announcements made before the end of 2025 represent a modern record and include the most Senate turnover since 2012. Republicans have 31 members not seeking reelection compared to 24 Democrats. An unusually high number of lawmakers are running for governor, with 12 House members and three senators launching gubernatorial bids.

Notable departures include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who announced her resignation after a public clash with President Trump.

Questions Remain About Future Balance

Efforts by Republican-led states to enact mid-decade gerrymandering have accelerated some lawmakers’ decisions to retire or run elsewhere. Texas’ redrawn map, upheld by the Supreme Court, has already caused several Democratic retirements, while California voters approved retaliatory redistricting measures favoring Democrats.

With Democrats needing to flip four seats to retake Senate control in 2026, will these comeback campaigns provide the experienced candidates needed to challenge Republican incumbents in competitive races?

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