3 Battleground Senate Democrats Retire—What Does It Mean for 2026?

These Democrat retirements potentially create openings for Republicans that did not exist before.

(L–R) Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). Scott Eisen, Kevin Dietsch, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Three long-serving Democrat incumbents have announced that their current term will be their last, raising questions about the potential outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.

Since President Donald Trump and the Republicans took a trifecta in Washington in November 2024, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) have announced their retirements.