The 2026 midterm election primaries have seen a significant number of congressional incumbents defeated as they sought renomination, a trend election analysts describe as historically high for a non-redistricting year. Twelve House members and two senators have lost their bids so far, according to data from the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
Kyle Kondik, communications director for the Center for Politics, noted that "It’s one of the highest numbers in decades in a non-national redistricting year." He added that while past years with higher incumbent losses were typically full redistricting years, the current cycle's figures are notable.
A confluence of factors appears to be contributing to these primary defeats. Scandals, the influence of former President Donald Trump's endorsements and opposition, and an intra-party push for generational change among Democrats have all played a role.
In Florida's 7th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Cory Mills was defeated in his renomination bid. Mills faced scrutiny over a House Ethics Committee investigation and a restraining order. He denied allegations related to the restraining order, but the controversies contributed to his loss despite an endorsement from former President Trump. Ryan Elijah, a former local news reporter, won the Republican primary.
Ideological challenges have also led to incumbent losses. In Michigan, Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar was defeated by state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Similarly, in New York's June primary, Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman was ousted by progressive challenger Brad Lander, who was supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
New York's 13th Congressional District saw community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA member, defeat Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Age was cited as a factor in this race, with the 32-year-old Chevalier unseating the 71-year-old Espaillat.
Generational shifts also impacted Colorado's 1st Congressional District, where DSA member Melat Kiros won against more moderate Democratic Rep. Diana Degette, a House member for nearly three decades. In Texas, a redistricting effort led to a primary contest between Democratic Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee. The 38-year-old Menefee defeated the 79-year-old Green.
Texas redistricting also forced Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson into a primary against former Rep. Colin Allred, which Allred won. In Connecticut's 1st Congressional District, 47-year-old former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated nearly 30-year veteran Rep. John Larson, who is 78.
The influence of former President Trump has also been a factor in some Republican primaries. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, was ousted earlier this year. In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn lost his nomination runoff to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch Trump supporter, after Trump's last-minute endorsement of Paxton.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a vocal critic of Trump, lost his renomination bid to Ed Gallrein, who received Trump's backing. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas was defeated by state Rep. Steve Toth, who campaigned as more conservative and anti-Trump, with support from Sen. Ted Cruz.
Even incumbents with Trump's endorsement have faced defeat. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost his renomination bid despite Trump's backing. Ogles faced criticism for controversial comments and social media posts, and was defeated by former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.
In another instance, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas withdrew from his runoff election after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who died by suicide, subsequently resigning from Congress.