Incumbent House Members Lose 2026 Primaries as Redistricting, Scandals and Anti-Incumbent Anger Bite
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 10
Incumbent House Members Lose 2026 Primaries as Redistricting, Scandals and Anti-Incumbent Anger Bite
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 10
Summary
Several 2026 House incumbents were swept out in primaries or quit reelection fights, with losses spanning both parties and extending to bids for governor, Senate and attorney general.
Redrawn districts drove many exits: Democrats Steve Cohen, Lloyd Doggett and Cleo Fields retired after GOP map changes, while Republicans Darrell Issa and Burgess Owens also stepped aside after redraws.
Scandals compounded the damage. Eric Swalwell left Congress amid sexual-assault and misconduct allegations, Tony Gonzales resigned after admitting an affair with a staffer, and Cory Mills and Andy Ogles were hit by trust and conduct attacks.
Incumbents also struggled when seeking higher office, as Democrats Michael Bennet, Haley Stevens, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly lost statewide primaries to non-Washington rivals.
The pattern fits a broader anti-incumbent mood already visible beyond Congress, including Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee's primary defeat.