House Members Lose Higher-Office Races as 14% Approval Makes Capitol Service a Liability
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 5
House Members Lose Higher-Office Races as 14% Approval Makes Capitol Service a Liability
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 5
Summary
House incumbents running for Senate and governor are increasingly falling short, with several saying their Capitol tenure has become a drag rather than a credential.
14% approval for Congress and broad anti-incumbent anger are fueling that shift, as voters favor state officials and outsiders over candidates tied to Washington dysfunction.
Georgia Republican Buddy Carter failed to reach a Senate runoff, Tennessee's John Rose trails Marsha Blackburn, and South Carolina Republicans Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace face a tough governor primary against Trump-backed Pamela Evette.
Some House members are still breaking through: Mike Collins advanced in Georgia, Andy Barr and Ashley Hinson won Senate nominations, Julia Letlow leads in Louisiana, and Mikie Sherrill has already won New Jersey's governorship.
The losses are also straining House operations, where Speaker Mike Johnson has already canceled voting days for campaign schedules and absences are complicating work in the narrowly divided chamber.