Several Democratic senators will be up for reelection in 2024, and many of them live in states that could be close in the race for president. This could make the midterm elections hard for Democrats, and some of them may decide to retire instead of running in what could be a hard election.
Stabenow’s decision could be the first of a wave of retirements that would make it easier for the GOP to take seats from Democrats in a tough election year.
Even though Democrats won more seats in the Senate in November, they will have to defend more than twice as many seats as Republicans in 2024.
This includes seats in states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin that are close races.
Here are senators who might decide to step down rather than risk losing in 2024 because of a map that favors Republicans:
- Dianne Feinstein (California)
- Patty Murray (Washington)
- Dick Durbin (Illinois)
- Ron Wyden (Oregon)
- Debbie Stabenow (Michigan)
- Tom Carper (Delaware)
- Joe Manchin (West Virginia)
- Tim Kaine (Virginia)
- Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin)
- Jon Tester (Montana)
- Bob Casey (Pennsylvania)
All senators have been there for more than ten years and may decide to leave rather than run in an election that could be hard. Also, many of these senators are in their late 70s, so they might want to retire to spend more time with their families.