Seth Moulton Massachusetts

Major US Senate Turnover Coming In 120th Congress (2027-2029)

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The nation will witness a major US Senate turnover in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029).

This would be due to retirements, primary defeats, potential election defeats, and 4 Senators running for Governor.

For now, the following is certain:

The following 11 US Senators are retiring:

Republican Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, running for Governor
Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois
Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa
Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Democrat Gary Peters of Michigan
Democrat Tina Smith of Minnesota
Republican Steve Daines of Montana
Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Republican Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma, appointed temprarily to replace Markwayne Mullin
Republican Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming

The following two US Senators were defeated in primaries:

Republican Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Republican John Cornyn of Texas

The following seven US Senators are endangered for reelection:

Republican Dan Sullivan of Alaska, challenged by Mary Peltola
Republican Ashley Moody of Florida, challenged by Alex Vindman
Democrat Jon Ossoff of Georgia, challenged by Republican nominee
Republican Susan Collins of Maine, challenged by Graham Platner
Democrat Ed Markey of Massachusetts, challenged by Seth Moulton in primary
Republican Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, challenged by Independent Dan Osborn
Republican Jon Husted of Ohio, challenged by former Senator Sherrod Brown

Likely gains for Democrats seem possible or likely in

Alaska, North Carolina (open seat), Maine, Ohio, and with outside chances in Texas (open seat), Iowa (open seat), Montana (open seat), and Florida.

But Republicans have possibilities in Georgia, Michigan (open seat), and New Hampshire (open seat).

Also, the following US Senators are running for Governors of their states, and if elected, would resign from the Senate, and a replacement would be appointed or elected:

Democrat Michael Bennet of Colorado
Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Republican Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee

IF all of the above were to occur, the maximum number of new US Senators, either by election or appointment for replacements, could reach the mid 20s in number.

Imagining about 20 new Senators as a minimum, is very likely to occur!

Potential For Up To 10 New Young Democrats In US Senate

Ronald 3 Comments

The odds are growing that a new generation of young Democrats could end up creating a “youth movement” in the US Senate if they can win seats in this fall’s midterm elections.

If good fortune were to occur, there is the potential of up to 10 new young US Senators, beginning with James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, and only 36 years old.

Others in their 30s are Iowa Senate candidate Zach Wahls (34) and Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow (39).

Those candidates in their 40s include Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (41) and Michigan Senate candidate Abu El-Sayed (41); Michigan Senate candidate Haley Stevens (42); New Hampshire Senate candidate Chris Pappas (45); Minnesota Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan (46); Massachusetts Senate candidate Seth Moulton (47) and Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek (47).

Those candidates in the early 50s include Florida Senate candidate Alexander Vindman (50) and Kentucky Senate candidate Amy McGrath (50); Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola (52); and Minnesota Senate candidate Angie Craig (54).

Democratic US Senate Races In 2026 Seen As “Safe” For Incumbents

Ronald 3 Comments

With 35 US Senate races up for election in November, 2026, the following Democratic Senators are seen as having “safe” seats:

John Hickenlooper, Colorado
Chris Coons, Delaware
Cory Booker, New Jersey
Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Mark Warner, Virginia

Also, Ed Markey, Massachusetts, who, however, is being challenged by fellow Democrat, Congressman Seth Moulton, mostly on the issue of age.

The following Senate seats that are Democratic are likely to remain so, but with challenges from Republicans:

(Dick Durbin), Illinois, who is retiring–with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi far ahead of competitors in fund raising and polling.

(Gary Peters), Michigan, who is retiring–with a hot three way race of Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who has the private support of Democratic Senate leadership; State Senator Mallory McMorrow; and former Wayne County, Michigan Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens is seen as centrist, while McMorrow and El-Sayed are seen as more progressive by comparison, and all three are 39-42 in age, so a new generation for sure, no matter who wins the nomination. All three are very close in public opinion polls, but Stevens seems to have a clearcut edge at this point.

(Jeanne Shaheen), New Hampshire, who is retiring–with Congressman Chris Pappas the only viable candidate for the Democrats–facing a likely challenge from former Republican Senator John Sununu.

Finally, the one most crucial race is Jon Ossoff of Georgia, who has the toughest race of all, to keep his seat. The youngest member of the Senate, he has been outstanding, but Georgia will be a tough state to win reelection in 2026, as it tends to be Republican oriented, except for the miracle that both Georgia Senators elected in 2021 are Democrats—Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock.

The Issue Of “Age” In Upcoming Midterm Elections In 2026

Ronald 21 Comments

The US Congress, in both chambers, is the oldest in age of any period of American history, and the issue of whether it is time for members in their 70s, 80s, and beyond to move on, and allow a younger generation better able to relate to the future, to be replacing them.

David Hogg of Florida, who was a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, caused controversy in promoting such change, and he was pushed out, and is working with others to challenge many older, longer serving members in upcoming primaries for the 2026 Congressional Elections.

And the issue has come to the forefront, particularly, in the state of Maine, where Democratic Governor Janet Mills, age 77, is challenging sitting Republican Senator Susan Collins, who will have served for 30 years in the upper chamber, and is presently 72 years old.

So Graham Plattner, age 41, an oyster famer and Marine Corp veteran, is challenging Janet Mills, with the issue of age being a crucial one.

And Maine already has Senator Angus King, who just won reelection at age 80 in 2024, and Vermont has Bernie Sanders, who won reelection in 2024 at age 83.

But there are other such cases, as with Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massacusetts, age 80, who has served a half century combined in the House of Representatives until 2013, and since then in the Senate. Congressman Seth Moulton, age 47, is arguing that while Markey has been an excellent leader for Massachusetts, it is time for change.

Other Democratic Senators of advanced age are retiring, including Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Also Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is retiring in 2026.

But there are others who are over 70 and choosing to run for reelection, or planning to when the next elecion for their seat takes place, including Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chuck Schumer of New York in 2028.

Also, in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi of California, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, and Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the fist three past leaders in the chamber, are running again in 2026, despite their being in their 80s. And Republican Senator and President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley also could run for reelection in 2028, although at present, he is 92 years old!

It would seem legitimate that these older political leaders would finally give up their positions, and allow for the future generation to take over Congress.