• Ten House Republicans running for governor surpasses 1974-2018 record of nine lawmakers in single cycle
• Fourteen total lawmakers pursuing gubernatorial bids marks highest number in more than five decades
• Departing members cite partisan rancor, vitriolic debate, and votes that will never become law

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — Ten House Republicans are running for governor in 2026, the highest number from either party in more than five decades, as widespread frustration with congressional dysfunction drives an exodus from Capitol Hill. The departures come as the GOP grapples with a toxic work environment, security threats, and legislative gridlock that retiring lawmakers say has made Congress increasingly untenable.

The surge surpasses the previous record of nine lawmakers set in 2018, according to data compiled by CNN dating back to 1974. In total, at least 14 lawmakers—11 House members and three senators—have launched gubernatorial bids, with Republicans comprising the vast majority.

Representative Elise Stefanik of New York also announced plans to run for governor this year, but suspended her campaign in late December and will not run for reelection to the House.

Lawmakers Cite Toxic Environment

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Representative Michael McCaul, who is retiring after two decades in the House where he served as chairman of the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees, told CNN that Congress has changed for the worse over his tenure.

“The level of partisanship, rancor, vitriolic debate, demonizing the other side of the aisle, not willing to work across the aisle to get good things done for the American people, and just the overall toxic environment. And then we are chained to the floor here on votes that will never become law in a lot of cases.”

Another GOP lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely, went even further to describe how the dysfunction of Washington makes it impossible to get simple things accomplished.

“It’s historic to be there. It’s an amazing honor. But boy, they suck a lot of the life out of you sometimes.”

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House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the challenges facing Republicans when asked about the exodus on December 3.

“These are not easy times. There are a lot of challenges for the country. And we’re doing it in an environment, where you have one of the smallest margins possible, smallest margins in history. And so, it creates frictions sometimes, and everybody has different ideas, and as I say every day, I’m in the consensus building business.”

Record Congressional Exodus

According to NPR’s congressional retirement tracker, as of December 20, there are 55 current representatives and senators who are retiring or running for different office—11 senators and 44 House members.

The 54 announcements made before the end of 2025 is a modern record for this far ahead of the election for both chambers. It also includes the most Senate turnover since 2012.

Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives, and while GOP controls both chambers of Congress, some within the party worry that might not be the case after the 2026 midterm elections. Johnson expressed confidence on December 11 that his party will maintain control.

“I’m very, very bullish about the midterms. I know that we are going to win because we have a great record to run on.”

House Republicans Running For Governor

The ten House Republicans pursuing gubernatorial bids include Representatives Byron Donalds (Florida), Nancy Mace (South Carolina), Ralph Norman (South Carolina), Tom Tiffany (Wisconsin), Randy Feenstra (Iowa), John James (Michigan), Andy Biggs (Arizona), David Schweikert (Arizona), John Rose (Tennessee), and Dusty Johnson (South Dakota).

The field is so crowded that in two states—South Carolina and Arizona—two GOP lawmakers are running against each other for governor. Mace and Norman are both competing for the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial nomination, while Biggs and Schweikert are facing off in Arizona.

On the Democratic side, Representative Eric Swalwell is running for governor in California. Representative Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey ran for governor this year but does not have to give up her House seat since that race took place in 2025.

Senate Exodus Continues

Three senators have announced gubernatorial bids, with two taking the unusual step of potentially leaving their Senate terms early for a chance at winning the governor’s mansion. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, a former Auburn University football coach, opted against seeking a second Senate term and launched his gubernatorial bid. Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who has served 16 years and briefly ran for president in 2020, announced his gubernatorial campaign. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has said she is seriously considering a bid for governor.

The departure of experienced lawmakers comes at a critical time. Republican-led states have enacted mid-decade gerrymandering to gain more favorable districts, and retaliatory redrawing by Democratic-led states like California has led to a reshuffling of boundary lines that has accelerated some lawmakers’ decisions to retire.

The Supreme Court ruled that Texas’ new congressional map will be used in 2026, coming just ahead of the state’s December 8 primary qualifying deadline that saw nine incumbents retire, file for the Senate, or run for other offices.

Additional Retirements

Beyond those running for governor, four Texas Republicans—Representatives Morgan Luttrell, Jodey Arrington, Troy Nehls, and Michael McCaul—are calling it quits rather than seek reelection in 2026. Their retirements are notable since all four members are relatively young and were not threatened with serious primary challenges.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California announced in November she would not seek reelection for another term, closing the book on a four-decade career. At 85, Pelosi is the oldest congressional lawmaker to retire ahead of November 2026.

The exodus also includes the planned resignation of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, effective January 5, 2026, following a public clash with President Trump over his second-term agenda.

When experienced lawmakers abandon Congress in record numbers to escape partisan gridlock and seek executive authority at home, what does their flight say about the institution’s ability to function?

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