Part 4/9:
Golden’s exit is just part of a larger pattern. Other prominent Democrats, including House veterans like Jerry Nadler and Senator Dick Durban of Illinois, are also retiring or announcing they won’t seek re-election in 2026. In Texas alone, redistricting has effectively eliminated some Democratic seats, further reducing the party’s influence.
This wave of retirements and seat eliminations signals serious strategic vulnerabilities for Democrats. As redistricting continues—likely accelerated by the Supreme Court’s expected ruling against the Voting Rights Act—the number of racially gerrymandered districts that the Democrats have relied on could decline sharply, further diminishing their representation deep into red states.