A Changing Congress: Why 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for American Democracy

As we look ahead to the 2026 elections, a record number of congressional lawmakers are stepping away from their current seats — a clear sign that the political landscape is shifting. So far, 10 senators and 27 House members have announced they won’t seek reelection. While some are retiring from public life altogether, others are aiming for new roles, including governorships and Senate seats. Notably, Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy is eyeing the state attorney general’s office — a move that underscores the GOP’s ongoing effort to consolidate power at the state level.

What’s striking is the imbalance between the parties: 27 Republicans are heading for the exits, compared to just 10 Democrats. This disparity speaks volumes. While many Democrats — including respected veterans like Sens. Dick Durbin and Jeanne Shaheen, as well as Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Dwight Evans, and Danny Davis are making space for a new generation of progressive leaders; the GOP exodus seems more rooted in internal conflict and disillusionment.

Among the Republican retirees are Sens. Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, and Joni Ernst, and Rep. Don Bacon — all of whom have had public disagreements with Donald Trump’s increasingly authoritarian vision. Their departures raise questions about the party's future and whether it will continue to embrace Trumpism or attempt a course correction.

Meanwhile, Republicans are doubling down on aggressive gerrymandering in states they control, trying to redraw maps mid-decade to tilt the playing field in their favor. With slim majorities in both chambers, the GOP is clearly nervous about 2026 — and for good reason. History hasn’t been kind to the party in power during midterms, and their current strategy seems more focused on rigging the system than winning hearts and minds.

In response, California’s Democratic leadership is pushing back with a ballot measure aimed at protecting fair redistricting. And in Texas, the GOP’s redrawn map has already forced out Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a 78-year-old Democrat who chose retirement over a bruising primary against progressive rising star Rep. Greg Casar.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. With democracy itself on the line, 2026 may be less about party politics and more about whether we continue to move forward — toward a more inclusive, representative government — or allow entrenched interests to rewrite the rules to preserve their power.