Wave of retirement announcements could mean major shakeup on Capitol Hill

Dozens of members of Congress have announced they will not run to keep their seats in 2024, complicating the race for control of the House and Senate.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection to his current seat in 2024, making him the ninth member of Congress to make such an announcement in November alone. according to Ballotpedia. In total, 34 members of both the House and Senate have said they will not seek re-election to their current seats next year, decisions that could prove crucial in the fight for control of the closely divided House and Senate. (RELATED: Kevin McCarthy says the Republican representative has not “earned the right” to win re-election)

In the Republican-controlled House, 27 members are not seeking re-election to their current seats, according to Ballotpedia. In the Senate, five Democratic members and two Republicans will not seek re-election.

Kildee, whose closely divided district could become a disaster in 2024, dropped out of the race on Thursday. Departing under markedly different circumstances Thursday was New York Republican Rep. George Santos, who announced that he would not run again in 2024 following a condemnation in the House of Representatives. report discovering that he “knowingly” committed fraud.

Santos’ seat is Democratic and approximately 30 Republican and Democratic candidates have already begun competing for his seat. according a politician and Cook Political Report.

Texas Republican Rep. Pat Fallon announced on Nov. 13 that he would not run again for his current seat in 2024, as he was instead planning to run for the state Senate. according to Politico. However, Fallon changed his mind the next day and said he would seek re-election to his current House position.

New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins made the surprise announcement on Nov. 12 that he would not only not seek re-election in 2024, but would also step down from his responsibilities early. according to ABC News. Higgins said the early departure was due to his sense that Congress is in a state of disarray; His seat is likely to be filled by another Democrat, according to Cook Political Report.

“Congress is not the institution I went to 19 years ago. It’s a very different place today,” Higgins said on Nov. 12, according to ABC. “We spend more time doing less. And the American people are not being served.”

Nov. 9 was an even bigger day for Capitol Hill reporters as West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who has served in Congress for more than a decade, Announced that he will not run for re-election in 2024. Manchin’s seat is now characterized Cook Political Report as a “solid R,” and West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice is the favorite candidate to fill the vacancy.

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) (C), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, speaks during a press conference with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA ) (R) and Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) after a Republican caucus. Meeting at the US Capitol Visitor Center on February 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Two more lawmakers joined Manchin in their own exit announcements on Nov. 9: Washington Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer and Ohio Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup, according to Ballotpedia. Kilmer saying that the demands of his role in Congress prevented him from engaging in family activities, and Wenstrup gave similar reasons, according for roll call.

Kilmer and Wenstrup’s seats are “Solid D” and “Solid R,” respectively, according to Cook Political Report.

Texas Republican Rep. Kay Granger said on Nov. 1 that she would not seek re-election and would retire from politics after serving 26 years in the House, according to Ballotpedia. and the house secretary. His announcement came the same day as Colorado Republican Rep. Ken Buck, who is also not running in 2024.

The Granger and Buck seats are rated “Solid R” and Republicans are likely to win their districts, according to Cook Political Report.

The 435 seats of the Home are open to contest in 2024, as are 34 seats in the Senate, including one in a special election. Republicans currently have a five-seat majority in the House, while Democrats have 51 seats in the Senate, including independents who are part of the Democrats, compared to 49 for the Republicans.

Granger, Kildee, Santos, Fallon, Higgins, Manchin, Kilmer and Wenstrup did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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