Democrats see silver lining in wave of Senate retirements

Senate Democrats are facing a flurry of retirements in key states next year, turning up the heat on already competitive races against the backdrop of an unforgiving election map heavily favoring Republicans to retain control.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) was the latest to reveal Wednesday that she would not seek reelection in the 2026 midterm elections, an announcement that came on the heels of similar ones from Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Tina Smith (D-MN).