As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a growing number of former House and Senate members are positioning themselves for political comebacks, drawn by an unusually large slate of open seats and a volatile electoral map.

The comeback candidates come from both parties and from different corners of the country, a sign of just how much turnover is reshaping these races. With more lawmakers choosing to step aside, seats that once felt settled are suddenly wide open, forcing parties and candidates alike to rethink their strategies.