Saying farewell: House incumbents retiring in 2024
Ahead of the 2024 Election, Incumbents Announce Retirement from Congress
As the New Year approaches, several incumbents have already made the surprising decision to retire from Congress and not seek reelection. This early announcement has sparked speculation and interest in the upcoming 2024 election.
Reasons for Retirement
Fourteen House representatives have already declared that they will not be on the ballot in their respective districts next year. Their reasons for retirement vary, ranging from health concerns to a desire for more family time to a belief in the importance of a new generation taking over.
Representatives Stepping Down
In addition to those retiring, several other representatives are stepping down from their positions for various reasons. Some are running for positions in their home states, while others are switching chambers within Congress.
Retiring House Republicans and Democrats
Here are the seven House Republicans and seven House Democrats who will retire at the end of their term or earlier:
- Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
- Ken Buck (R-CO)
- Michael Burgess (R-TX)
- Kay Granger (R-TX)
- Brian Higgins (D-NY)
- Dan Kildee (D-MI)
- Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
- Debbie Lesko (R-AZ)
- Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
- George Santos (D-NY)
- John Sarbanes (D-MD)
- Victoria Spartz (R-IN)
- Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)
- Jennifer Wexton (D-VA)
Notable Retirements
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
After 27 years in the House, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced his retirement. He expressed gratitude for his years of service and the success he has achieved. Blumenauer’s decision to step down opens the door for Susheela Jayapal, sister to “Squad” Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), to enter the highly-watched race.
Ken Buck (R-CO)
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), a member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus, cited his disappointment with the Republican Party’s reliance on the narrative of a stolen 2020 election as a reason for his retirement. Buck’s departure is expected to trigger a crowded GOP primary in his red district.
Michael Burgess (R-TX)
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), known for being the GOP’s voice for healthcare, announced his retirement after two decades in Congress. He emphasized that his decision was not due to Republican infighting but rather a personal choice to move on from elected office.
Kay Granger (R-TX)
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), the first female Republican Appropriations Chair, announced her retirement after serving Texas’s 12th Congressional District since 1997. She expressed confidence in the next generation of leaders and their ability to represent the people.
Brian Higgins (D-NY)
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) cited growing frustration with dysfunction in Washington, D.C., as the reason for his retirement. He plans to leave office in February 2024 and has received praise from fellow Democratic lawmakers for his years of service.
Dan Kildee (D-MI)
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) announced his retirement due to his battle with cancer. He expressed gratitude for successful surgery and being cancer-free but acknowledged the need to reassess his future. Kildee’s retirement could have implications for Democrats, as his seat’s rating has shifted to a toss-up.
Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced his retirement after nearly 20 years of public service. He remains hopeful about Congress’s ability to achieve bipartisanship and focus on underrepresented communities. Washington Democratic state Sen. Emily Randall has already announced her campaign to replace Kilmer.
Debbie Lesko (R-AZ)
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) cited the broken state of Washington, D.C., and a desire to spend more time with family as reasons for her retirement. Her decision came amidst Republican infighting over the election of a new House speaker. Several candidates, including Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, are vying for Lesko’s seat.
Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), the oldest member of the House at 86, announced her retirement at the end of her term in 2025. She expressed her commitment to continue working for her district and endorsed Bob Archuleta as her successor.
George Santos (D-NY)
Rep. George Santos (D-NY) announced his retirement shortly after the House Ethics Committee released a report accusing him of misusing campaign funds. While denying the allegations, Santos decided not to run for reelection due to the toll it has taken on his family. His seat is expected to be a battleground in the 2024 election.
John Sarbanes (D-MD)
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) surprised Maryland residents with his announcement that he would not seek another term in 2024. He expressed a desire to explore other opportunities for public service outside of elected office. Several high-profile Democrats, including state Rep. Vanessa Atterbeary, are considering running for Sarbanes’s seat.
Victoria Spartz (D-IN)
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) has decided not to seek another term in the House or launch a bid for the Senate in 2024. She prioritizes spending more time with her family and being a working mom. Republican state Rep. Chuck Goodrich and Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings are among the candidates running to replace her.
Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)
Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) announced his retirement after more than a decade in the House. He expressed a desire to prioritize being present for his family and serving his community outside of elected office. Republican state Sen. Niraj Antani has already announced his campaign to replace Wenstrup.
Jennifer Wexton (D-VA)
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) announced her retirement due to a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a condition related to Parkinson’s disease. She acknowledged the challenges she has faced and expressed a desire to make the most of her remaining time. Several candidates from both parties are considering running for her seat.
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She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve her constituents and highlighted her accomplishments in mental health and water infrastructure. Napolitano’s retirement creates an open seat that will likely attract strong Democratic contenders.
George Santos (D-NY)
Rep. George Santos (D-NY), a freshman congressman, announced his retirement after just one term. He cited his desire to pursue opportunities outside of politics and focus on his family. Santos’s decision leaves an open seat that both Democrats and Republicans will likely target in the upcoming election.
John Sarbanes (D-MD)
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), a longtime advocate for campaign finance reform, announced his retirement after 15 years in Congress. Sarbanes expressed his belief that it was time for a new generation of leaders to continue the fight for ethics and accountability. His departure creates an open seat that will likely see a competitive Democratic primary.
Victoria Spartz (R-IN)
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, announced her retirement after just one term. She stated that her decision was driven by the need to prioritize her family and that she looked forward to supporting the next generation of conservative leaders. Spartz’s retirement opens up a Republican-held seat that will likely be highly contested in the 2024 election.
Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)
Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), a veteran and member of the House Intelligence Committee, announced his retirement after serving five terms. He emphasized the importance of bringing new perspectives to Congress and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Wenstrup’s decision leaves an open seat that both parties will vie for in the upcoming election.
Jennifer Wexton (D-VA)
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced her retirement after one term. She expressed her commitment to public service but explained that she wanted to focus on her family and explore new opportunities. Wexton’s retirement creates an open seat that will likely be a target for both Democrats and Republicans.
Impact on the 2024 Election
The retirement of these incumbents will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the upcoming 2024 election. With several open seats, both Democrats and Republicans will have the opportunity to compete for these positions and potentially shift the balance of power in Congress. Additionally, the retirement of seasoned lawmakers, such as Earl Blumenauer and John Sarbanes, will pave the way for a new generation of leaders to step up and shape the future of the
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