House Democrats have an upward climb to keep control of the House in next year’s midterm elections — especially as 21House Democrats have stated that they will not run for reelection next year. The House currently has a Democratic majority. 221-213 majority with one vacancy — Rep. Alcee Hastings(D.Fla.) Died in April.
Monday Rep. Stephanie Murphy(D-Fla.), became the latest Democrat not to run for reelection. Murphy is a key centrist and sits on a special House committee that investigates the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection. Many of those who leave the House are amongst the strongest fundraisers within the Democratic caucus.
In the 2020 election cycle, House Democrats raised an average of $2.8 million. This was approximately $300,000 more than the average House Republican salary. Murphy earned more than $3 millionShe has already raised $1.3million in 2022 to support her 2020 reelection bid. In her Monday announcement, Murphy didn’t rule out running for office in the future. And if Murphy does run, her campaign committee will still be able to access nearly $2 million in cash.
Rep. Peter DeFazio(D-Ore. currentChair of the House Transportation Committee announcedAfter 35 years in the House, he retired earlier this month. Nearly $500,000 was raised by DeFazio in his most recent election. $5.1 millionVeteran against his Republican opponent Alek SkarlatosWho is it? announcedIn May, he would run for the seat again.
DeFazio’s history has been strong. supportFrom transportation unions to the air transport industry. Over his career, the Oregon congressman has received more that $1.2 millionAnd $960,000From the unions and the industry, respectively.
Of course, not all the House Democrats who have announced they won’t seek reelection are retiring from politics. Reps. Val Demings (D-Fla.), Charlie Crist (D-Fla), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Anthony Brown (D-Md.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Conor Lamb (D-Penn.) (D-Penn.) Peter Welch(D.Vt.) All are running for either a state or local office, as well as the Senate.
Lamb, who was the first House member elected in 2018, was the most successful fundraiser in the 2020 cycle. different office. The Pennsylvania congressman has raised nearly $4.1million in 2020 reelection. He also raised more than $2.6million in 2022 senatorial race. Lamb attracted national attention in his 2018 race, when he was the Vice President. Joe Biden endorsedHe lives in Pennsylvania.
Demings, Ryan and Welch — the other three House members running for Senate — brought in more conservative totals in their respective 2020 reelection bids. The Ohio congressman raised nearly 2 million dollars, while Demings raised $1.9 million and Welch collected $847,000.
Some House Democrats are leaving to seek a new office, but House Democrats are also losing members because they fear that redistricting will make them unqualified to win in 2022.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield(D.N.C.), a former headThe Congressional Black Caucus announcedHis retirement took place in November. Butterfield was elected for the first time in 2004. The North Carolina congressman called the redistricting process in his home state “racially gerrymandered.”
“The map that was recently enacted by the Legislature is a partisan map. It’s racially gerrymandered. It will disadvantage African-American communities all across the first Congressional district,” Butterfield saidIn his retirement announcement.
Butterfield raised more than $1 million In his 2020 reelection.
Butterfield received donations from many industries and interest groups, including the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and health professionals. $591,000 and $450,000, respectively.
Just 12 House Republicans have announced they wouldn’t seek reelection in 2022. Four of those 12, the Representatives, are running for Senate. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Billy Long (R-Mo.) And Ted Budd (R-N.C.). Three former House Republicans are running for statewide office. Lee Zeldin(R-N.Y.), running for governor, and Rep. Jody Hice(R-Ga.), is running for Georgia secretary to state and Rep. Louie Gohmert(R-Texas), is running to be Texas attorney general.
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) announcedHe would be retiring by the end the year to continue his role as former President Donald Trump’s new media company.
