More House members want out of their "broken" chamber
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The U.S. Capitol on March 4. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Two House members launched bids for U.S. Senate on Tuesday — and more of their colleagues in the lower chamber may soon follow in their footsteps.
Why it matters: To some lawmakers, the large number of House members seeking higher office in recent election cycles reflects what they see as the institution's growing dysfunction.
- "The House is broken, doesn't pass legislation, doesn't work anymore," said one House Democrat, calling the lower chamber "just a big comms shop."
- Former Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) told Axios he has heard "increased frustration" from his former House colleagues, who are chafing under four years of Republican control.
Driving the news: Reps. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.) both launched campaigns for open U.S. Senate seats in their states.
- Unlike Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), who appears to be on a glide path for the Senate nomination in his state, Stevens and Barr are both entering what will likely be bitterly contested primaries.
- They likely won't be the last: At least three House Democrats are sizing up Sen. Dick Durbin's (D-Ill.) seat if he retires.
- Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) is seen as likely to challenge Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for her state's Senate seat.
Zoom out: It's not just the Senate. Three House Republicans and two Democrats are currently running for governor.
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is likely to run for governor, as Axios has previously reported.
- After her nomination for ambassador to the United Nations was pulled, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is now looking at a run for governor as her best opportunity to move up.
- Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) have both openly expressed interest in challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
- Several House Republicans from Iowa also cracked open the door to running for governor after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced her retirement.
Yes, but: Some House members argued to Axios that these runs are more a sign of personal ambition than any broader dynamics.
- "Generally ambitious people who don't care as much about what they do as the next title run from the House to the Senate," said a second House Democrat, calling it a "common occurrence."
- The lawmaker added: "If you actually want to be in the majority and do something, you stay in the House."
- A third House Democrat told Axios their "candidate recruitment is through the roof" and that it "would be a different matter if these folks were retiring altogether."
What to watch: Retirements could be coming next, with Democrats in particular bracing for many of their older members to step aside amid growing efforts by the party's grassroots to primary them.
- Last election cycle saw a historically large wave of House members — including many well below retirement age — opt to leave the chamber.
- "We're certainly seeing retirements too, and across party and chambers," the third House Democrat acknowledged.
