Record Early House Retirement Wave Grows as Nevada GOP Rep. Mark Amodei Joins 2026 Exodus

📌 Key Facts

• Rep. Mark Amodei (R‑Nev.), the lone Republican in Nevada’s delegation and a 15‑year House veteran, announced he will retire at the end of his term; he represents Nevada’s reddest district and his exit is expected to trigger a crowded Republican primary rather than put the seat in immediate general‑election jeopardy.
• Rep. Vern Buchanan (R‑Fla.), 74, a 20‑year incumbent and vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee (and chair of its Health Subcommittee), announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 and is expected to play a key role shaping a second GOP reconciliation package before departing.
• The Cook Political Report rates Buchanan’s southwest Florida district as solidly Republican, so his retirement is unlikely to flip the seat but does remove an experienced GOP tax‑writer as Republicans fight to hold a razor‑thin House majority.
• Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R‑Ga.) said he will not run for a seventh term in Congress, framing service as "a service, not a career," citing a desire to spend more time with family; his announcement was counted by Fox News as at least the 29th House Republican retirement.
• Across the reporting, the 2026 withdrawal wave included at least 28–29 House Republicans (Fox first called Buchanan the 28th and then Loudermilk raised the count to at least 29) and 21 House Democrats, a level that has put more than 10% of House seats in play.
• Other Republicans highlighted as retiring in the coverage include Neal Dunn, Jodey Arrington and Troy Nehls.

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