Senate Republicans Already Have A Retirement Problem

Blunt’s Surprise Retirement Creates Fifth Open Seat For The NRSC To Defend In 2022, Where They Can Expect Another Divisive GOP Primary

Missouri Joins Open Races In Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio And Alabama, Creating Another Setback For Minority Leader Mitch McConnell And NRSC Chair Rick Scott As One Republican Incumbent After Another Decides Not To Run For Re-Election

It is only March but today’s news that Senator Roy Blunt will not seek re-election marks the fifth Senate GOP retirement of the election cycle for a struggling Republican minority failing to persuade one incumbent after another to run for re-election in 2022. Republicans are certain to face another chaotic primary to replace Blunt, as Missouri now joins North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Alabama as the fifth GOP-held open Senate seat on the ballot next year.

“Senate Republicans have a retirement problem,” said DSCC Executive Director Christie Roberts. “Fresh off of opposing urgently needed relief for Americans impacted by the pandemic and economic crisis, they’re facing a growing list of defensive liabilities that shows even Republican incumbents don’t like their chances in 2022.”

With Blunt’s decision to retire, NRSC Chair Rick Scott has once again failed one of his self-proclaimed goals of “trying to convince all the GOP incumbents who are up for reelection in 2022 to run again.” The news comes as Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa have also refused to commit to running for re-election next year.

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