Another House retirement — and this one hits the GOP leadership ranks.
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the chair of the House Transportation Committee, said Friday he won’t run again, ending a 26-year run in Congress.
Graves, 62, framed the move as a generational handoff.
“It’s time to pass the torch,” he wrote on X, calling for “a new guard of conservative leaders.”
The timing is notable: Graves had just filed for reelection last month. Now he’s out — and he’s part of a broader trend that’s accelerating.
House retirements are piling up. Fifty-seven lawmakers have already announced they’re leaving, putting this cycle on track for the highest turnover in a decade.
For Republicans, the political risk here is limited. Graves’ northern Missouri district is solidly red, meaning the seat is likely to stay in GOP hands.
Still, the primary could get crowded. So far, only Kansas City businessman Jim Ingram is officially in. But state Rep. Mazzie Christenson and radio host Chris Stigall are both eyeing bids.
Bottom line: Another veteran exits, another open seat, and another reminder that churn inside the House is picking up speed — even as control of the chamber hangs on a razor’s edge.
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