WASHINGTON — Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis won’t run for reelection in 2026, leaving the Senate after just one term, she announced on Friday.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent Wyoming in the U.S. Senate, and throughout my time here, Wyoming has been my one-and-only priority,” Lummis said in a statement announcing her retirement.
“I am honored to have earned the support of President Trump and to have the opportunity to work side by side with him to fight for the people of Wyoming. I look forward to continuing this partnership and throwing all my energy into bringing important legislation to his desk in 2026 and into retaining commonsense Republican control of the U.S. Senate.”
Lummis acknowledged her stepping down reflects a “change of heart,” but pointed to the grueling fall session during which the government was shut down for 43 days and lawmakers agonized over crypto policy and market structures as a main factor in her decision.
“I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,” Lummis said. “I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon. The energy required doesn’t match up.”
Lummis is the ninth senator to not run for reelection in 2026. Four Democrats and four other Republicans have similarly announced their retirements in next year’s election cycle.
Lummis’ seat is projected to remain a solidly red seat, so her departure will not tip the scale for Republicans as they seek to defend their slim majority in November.
Of the nine seats up for grabs, only two are deemed to be tossup races: Michigan, which is currently held by a Democrat, and North Carolina, which is held by a Republican.
The Senate Leadership Fund, Republicans’ top super PAC, praised Lummis for her tenure shortly after making her announcement.
“We sincerely thank Sen. Cynthia Lummis for her dedicated service to the people of Wyoming and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement,” SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham said in a statement. “Sen. Lummis’ strong conservative record is unquestioned, and her list of accomplishments includes ensuring that the United States is the world leader in digital currencies and energy production. While she will be missed, we look forward to seeing many more great things ahead for Sen. Cynthia Lummis.”