In a surprising political shift, thirty-five members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026, marking a record level of departures. This trend raises significant questions about the upcoming midterm elections, as CNN data experts suggest that the current state of the GOP poses challenges for former President Trump and his adherents. Meanwhile, there are indications of optimism for Democrats ahead of the contentious political season. As the landscape evolves, the implications of this unprecedented level of turnover among lawmakers remain to be seen.