Senate Shake-Up: 'Biden Effect' Ushers in a Wave of Retirements and Young Blood

Congress is getting a serious makeover, and it all seems to stem from what political scientists are calling the "Biden effect." After nearly forty years in Washington, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin announced he won’t be seeking re-election. That’s just the latest in a string of retirements from some of the capital’s most seasoned (read: oldest) lawmakers—many of whom have stuck around longer than some TikTok influencers have been alive.

It all started after President Joe Biden’s rough and tumble debate against Donald Trump in 2024, which ultimately led to Biden stepping aside for the much-younger Kamala Harris. Since then, the dominoes have been falling. We’ve seen a parade of retirements from Democrats like Durbin, Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, and Gary Peters, as well as Republican Mitch McConnell, all bowing out in 2025. Apparently, there’s something in the Senate water—except for Chuck Grassley, who at 91, seems immune to the "Biden effect" and determined to outlast us all.

Rutgers political scientist Ross Baker didn’t mince words, saying the "Biden Effect" has "contaminated old Democrats." While that does sound a little like a plot twist in a sci-fi movie, there’s no denying the impact: a new generation of politicians is ready to take the reins. In Illinois, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton—twenty years younger than Durbin—jumped at the opportunity and announced her candidacy almost before Durbin’s seat got cold.

The shake-up isn’t limited to the Senate. Chuck Schumer, at 74, is facing potential primary challenges in 2028 from progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 35 represents a very different era of Democratic politics. After Schumer’s controversial decision to support a GOP funding bill, his poll numbers in New York hit a 20-year low, while AOC’s popularity surged. Seems like the old guard is really feeling the heat.

Meanwhile, the push for a generational change is gaining steam. DNC vice chair David Hogg, 25, has launched a project specifically to bankroll primary challengers to older Democratic incumbents, calling out the "unwritten rule" that a congressional seat is yours for life. If Hogg has his way, that rule is headed for the recycling bin.

Bernie Sanders, ever the outlier, is contemplating another Senate run—in 2030, at age 89. His energy, at least, continues to baffle both critics and fans, and his campaign committee is already on file for the next round.

On the Republican side, McConnell’s departure from leadership paved the way for John Thune, who’s a sprightly twenty years younger. Kentucky’s race to replace McConnell is already heating up, with contenders like Rep. Andy Barr and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron lining up.

And just so the younger crowd doesn’t get too comfortable, even some of the youngest Senate Democrats are facing tough re-election battles. Georgia’s Jon Ossoff is already being eyed by potential Republican challengers, including the ever-controversial Marjorie Taylor Greene, Buddy Carter, and Governor Brian Kemp—none of whom are exactly wallflowers.

With so many retirements and a clear push for new faces, it’s safe to say Capitol Hill is bracing for a generational shift. The question is whether this fresh energy will translate to fresh ideas—or just new faces in old suits.