The House Democratic exodus continued this week with a flurry of announcements by lawmakers announcing they will not run for reelection, CNN reports.
Twenty-three House Democrats have already announced they will not seek another term ahead of a midterm cycle that is expected to be brutal for Democrats.
While the sitting president’s party historically loses badly in midterm elections, Democrats are also facing aggressive Republican gerrymanders in red states that could eliminate their seats entirely and a wave of new voting restrictions that advocates believe will suppress votes.
Democrats expected a Kevin McCarthy speakership next term say morale has already hit rockbottom.
"We have got a problem here," retiring Rep. Cheri Bustos told CNN. "There are way too many people serving as members of Congress right now who I not only don't look up to, I have zero respect for. And I'm saddened to have to say that."
"When you've only got a three- or four-vote majority and you see people who are in tough districts announcing that they're not running for reelection, yeah, everybody worries about what's ahead," she added.
Latest wave:
Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who played a key role in congressional negotiations this year, announced that she would not seek a fourth term as Florida Republicans seek to redraw her Orlando-area district.
Her announcement came after California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard said Monday that "after thirty years in the House of Representatives, the time has come for me to spend more time with my family."
On Tuesday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that New Jersey Rep. Albio Sires would also retire.
Some Dems have higher aspirations:
Though some Democrats plan to retire, others plan to run for higher office.
Pennsylvania Rep. Conor Lamb, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Vermont Rep. Peter Welch and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan are all running for Senate in their respective states.
Florida Rep. Charlie Crist is seeking to challenge Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis while New York Rep. Tom Suozzi threw his hat in the mix in a crowded New York gubernatorial primary.
Rep. Karen Bass is running to be mayor of Los Angeles.
On the other side of the aisle, five Republicans plan to retire while seven others are running for other offices.
