Overview
- Rep. Kevin Hern’s decision to run for the Senate made him the 35th House Republican to forgo reelection, a modern record for the party dating to at least 1930, according to Brookings data cited by CNN.
- In all, 56 House members from both parties are retiring or seeking other offices this cycle, with 16 running for the Senate and a record 10 House Republicans running for governor.
- Recent departures and shifts include Darrell Issa and Burgess Owens stepping aside after mid-decade redistricting reshaped their districts and heightened electoral risk.
- Rep. Tony Gonzales abandoned a reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee opened an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations, and Kevin Kiley said he will run with no party affiliation while pledging to caucus with Republicans if returned to Congress.
- Democrats, pointing to the loss of GOP incumbency advantages and a sour public mood, are increasingly confident the expanded map improves their odds of retaking the chamber in November.