Reps. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island and Jerry McNerney of California mark the 27th and 28th House Democrats not running for reelection in 2022 as analysts expect a favorable year for Republicans.
Both members announced their retirements on Tuesday.
“I will keep working for the people of my district throughout the remainder of my term and look forward to new opportunities to continue to serve,” McNerney, 70, said in a tweet.
McNerney has represented California in Congress since 2007, in the 9th District since 2013 and in the old 11th District before that.
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Langevin, 57, wrote a Providence Journal op-ed explaining his decision.
“I have not come to this decision lightly, but it is time for me to chart a new course, which will allow me to stay closer to home and spend more time with my family and friends. And while I don’t know what’s next for me just yet, whatever I do will always be in service of Rhode Island,” he said.
Rhode Island has not completed its redistricting process, but Langevin, who has represented Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District since 2001, likely leaves behind a safe Democratic seat.
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They mark the 19th and 20th House Democrats who have announced retirements rather than seek reelection. Another eight retiring House Democrats are running for other offices. On the Republican side, six have announced retirements, and seven are running for other offices.
The number of Democratic retirements in this cycle is slowly approaching the high number of House Republicans who retired or sought other offices in the 2018 midterm cycle before the House flipped to Democratic control in a “blue wave” that netted Democrats 41 House seats. That year, 23 Republicans retired, and 11 others sought other offices.
House Republicans need to gain five seats in 2022 to win the House majority.
