State legislative incumbents are retiring at a lower rate, facing primaries at a higher rate in 2026
In the 31 states where we have completed an analysis of all available candidate-filing data for state legislative elections, an average of 26.5% of incumbent state legislators are running in contested primaries this year — the second-highest since 2010. The 17.4% average of open seats is the second-lowest since 2010.
Percentage of incumbents facing primary challengers
