Fifty

[Sestak]

BREAKING: President Reschenthaler Not Running for Reelection

December 22, 2026

Guy Reschenthaler, the 49th President of the United States, will not be seeking a second term in 2028. The President announced his decsion in a tweet Saturday morning.

Reschenthaler, who has struggled with low approvals since his narrow electoral victory over now-outgoing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2024, has become mired in a series of corruption scandals, which has most recently resulted in a Democratic midterm wave, with the opposition party not only gaining the Senate, a task many pundits thought impossible, but also gaining a supermajority in the House.

The President's departure from the race has left a wide open field. Among the mainstream Republicans, Vice President Haley easily becomes the favorite among potential candidates, with many finding her ability to unite conservative and moderate members of the party unparalleled. Rumors also swirl of a run by Wisconsin Sen. Reince Priebus, trying to signal a return to the less scandal-prone days of the Ryan administration. Other potential mainstream-wing candidates include Louisiana Sen. John N. Kennedy and Nebraska Gov. Jeff Fortenberry.

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton had long been considered the heir apparent of the conservative wing, but his shocking defeat in the midterm has left a massive void. Many have pointed to outgoing Kansas Gov. Kris Kobach as a potential successor. In the party's more moderate wing, outgoing two-terms Governor of Connecticut Erin Stewart is considered the most likely candidate. Illinois Sen. Bruce Rauner, thought to be facing a tough reelection battle, may also throw his hat into the ring.

On the Democratic side, not much appears to have changed. Senators Harris and Kander are still considered the prospective frontrunners, flanked on the left by Hawaii Gov. Kaniela Ing and Former Interior Secretary Paula Jean Swearengin and to the center by outgoing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Iowa Sen. Abby Finkenauer.

Currently, Democrats appear to have a definitive advantage, but they have another two years before America gets the final say.

[Sestak]

After the surprise losses of the Majority Leaders in both Houses, Republicans have been floundering for a central leader in Congress. In the House, the leadership has mostly remained the same despite the defeat of Majority Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers. In the Senate, however, with Majority Leader David Perdue's defeat coinciding with Majority Whip John Cornyn's retirement, the picture was very unclear. After reportedly contentious deliberations, the GOP caucus has announced in a surprise move that Louisiana Sen. John Neely Kennedy will be the next Minority Leader. On the Democratic side, it was smooth sailing as expected with Tammy Duckworth being tapped for House Speaker and Sherrod Brown for Senate Majority Leader.

Leadership of 120th Congress

House
Tammy Duckworth, 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives
Dave Loebsack, Majority Leader
Jared Golden, Majority Whip
Mike Pence, Minority Leader
Marsha Blackburn, Minority Whip

Senate
Nikki Haley, 53rd Vice President of the United States
Sherrod Brown, Majority Leader
Kirsten Gillibrand, Majority Whip
John Neely Kennedy, Minority Leader
Rob Portman, Minority Whip

Russ Feingold, President pro tempore

[America Needs R'hllor]

Why's Duckworth in the House now?

[Sestak]

Why's Duckworth in the House now?

Never left.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Why's Duckworth in the House now?

Never left.

Oh, so who won the 2016 Illinois Senate race?
Anyway, this looks promising.

[Cold War Liberal]

Interesting. Main questions I have regard Pence being in the House, and the general list of Presidents.

[Sestak]

120th Congress - Full Senate

Alabama
2. Robert Aderholt (since 2027)
3. Bradley Byrne (since 2023)
Alaska
2. Ethan Berkowitz (since 2027)
3. Lisa Murkowski (since 2002)
Arizona
1. Martha McSally (since 2019)
3. David Schweikert (since 2018)
Arkansas
2. Robb Ryerse (since 2027)
3. John Boozman (since 2011)
California
1. Eric Garcetti (since 2025)
3. Kamala Harris (since 2017)
Colorado
2. Mark Udall (since 2009)
3. Michael Bennet (since 2009)
Connecticut
1. Chris Murphy (since 2013)
3. George Jepsen (since 2023)
Delaware
1. Lisa Blunt Rochester (since 2025)
2. Bethany Hall-Long (since 2027)
Florida
1. Ron DeSantis (since 2019)
3. Marco Rubio (since 2011)
Georgia
2. Stacey Abrams (since 2027)
3. Jody Hice (since 2023)
Hawaii
1. Tulsi Gabbard (since 2020)
3. Brian Schatz (since 2012)
Idaho
2. Raul Labrador (since 2021)
3. Mike Crapo (since 1999)
Illinois
2. Cheri Bustos (since 2021)
3. Bruce Rauner (since 2023)
Indiana
1. Todd Rokita (since 2019)
3. Todd Young (since 2017)
Iowa
2. Abby Finkenauer (since 2021)
3. David Young (since 2023)
Kansas
2. Paul Davis (since 2027)
3. Jerry Moran (since 2011)
Kentucky
2. Amy McGrath (since 2027)
3. Rand Paul (since 2011)
Louisiana
2. Bill Cassidy (since 2015)
3. John Kennedy (since 2017)
Maine
1. Zak Ringelstein (since 2025)
2. Betsy Sweet (since 2021)
Maryland
1. John Delaney (since 2025)
3. Chris Van Hollen (since 2017)
Massachusetts
1. Elizabeth Warren (since 2013)
2. Seth Moulton (since 2027)
Michigan
1. Debbie Stabenow (since 2001)
2. Gretchen Whitmer (since 2015)
Minnesota
1. Amy Klobuchar (since 2007)
2. Tina Smith (since 2018)
Mississippi
1. Roger Wicker (since 2007)
2. Bennie Thompson (since 2027)
Missouri
1. Josh Hawley (since 2019)
3. Jason Kander (since 2017)
Montana
1. Denny Rehberg (since 2013)
2. Steve Bullock (since 2021)
Nebraska
1. Deb Fischer (since 2013)
2. Ben Sasse (since 2015)
Nevada
1. Adam Laxalt (since 2025)
3. Catherine Cortez Masto (since 2017)
New Hampshire
2. Colin Van Ostern (since 2021)
3. Chris Sununu (since 2023)
New Jersey
1. Bob Menendez (since 2007)
2. Cory Booker (since 2014)
New Mexico
1. Martin Heinrich (since 2013)
2. Tom Udall (since 2009)
New York
1. Kirsten Gillibrand (since 2009)
3. Chuck Schumer (since 1999)
North Carolina
2. Kay Hagan (since 2009)
3. Renee Ellmers (since 2023)
North Dakota
1. Rick Berg (since 2013)
3. John Hoeven (since 2011)
Ohio
1. Sherrod Brown (since 2007)
3. Rob Portman (since 2011)
Oklahoma
2. Jim Bridenstine (since 2026)
3. James Lankford (since 2015)
Oregon
2. Jeff Merkley (since 2009)
3. Ron Wyden (since 1996)
Pennsylvania
1. Bob Casey, Jr. (since 2007)
3. Scott Wagner (since 2018)
Rhode Island
1. Sheldon Whitehouse (since 2007)
2. Jack Reed (since 1997)
South Carolina
2. Trey Gowdy (since 2027)
3. Tim Scott (since 2013)
South Dakota
2. Kristi Noem (since 2026)
3. John Thune (since 2004)
Tennessee
1. Bob Corker (since 2007)
2. Bill Haslam (since 2021)
Texas
1. Ted Cruz (since 2013)
2. George P. Bush (since 2027)
Utah
1. Josh Romney (since 2025)
3. Mike Lee (since 2011)
Vermont
1. Tim Ashe (since 2025)
3. David Zuckerman (since 2023)
Virginia
1. Jill Vogel (since 2025)
2. Justin Fairfax (since 2021)
Washington
1. Maria Cantwell (since 2001)
3. Patty Murray (since 1993)
West Virginia
1. Evan Jenkins (since 2019)
2. Shelley Moore Capito (since 2015)
Wisconsin
1. Reince Priebus (since 2017)
3. Russ Feingold (since 1993)
Wyoming
1. Edward Buchanan (2025)
2. Liz Cheney (since 2021)

D 51 R 49

(previously: R 56 D 44)

[America Needs R'hllor]

Some very curious parts here. Glad to see Senators Rauner, Kander and Feingold. Less glad about two Republicans in Arizona. Also, is this the congress BEFORE Reschenthaler's midterm? Because I see Democrats lost seats, so it logically isn't a midterm with a Republican President.

[Sestak]

Some very curious parts here. Glad to see Senators Rauner, Kander and Feingold. Less glad about two Republicans in Arizona. Also, is this the congress BEFORE Reschenthaler's midterm? Because I see Democrats lost seats, so it logically isn't a midterm with a Republican President.

Dems gained 7.

[Sestak]

Presidents of the United States from Jan 2001
43. George W. Bush (2001-2009); def. Al Gore 2000, John Kerry 2004
44. Barack H. Obama (2009-2013); def. John McCain 2008
45. W. Mitt Romney (2013-2014); def. Barack Obama 2012
46. Paul D. Ryan (2014-2017)
47. Tammy S. Baldwin (2017-2023); def. Paul Ryan 2016, Marco Rubio 2020
48. Tom W. Wolf (2023-2025)
49. Guy Reschenthaler (2025 - )

Vice Presidents of the United States from Jan 2001
46. Dick Cheney (2001-2009)
47. Joe Biden (2009-2013)
48. Paul Ryan (2013-2014)
49. Rick Perry (2014-2016)
50. Jon Huntsman (2016-2017)
51. Tom Wolf (2017-2023)
52. Mike Michaud (2023-2025)
53. Nikki Haley (2025 - )

Speakers of the House from Jan 2001
51. Dennis Hastert (1999-2007)
52. Nancy Pelosi (2007-2017)
53. Ed Markey (2017-2019)
54. Mike Pence (2019-2021)
(53). Ed Markey (2021-2023)
(54). Mike Pence (2023-2027)
55. Tammy Duckworth (2027 - )

Majority Leaders of the Senate from Jan 2001
Tom Daschle (2001)
Trent Lott (2001)
Tom Daschle (2001-2003)
Bill Frist (2003-2007)
Harry Reid (2007-2015)
Mitch McConnell (2015-2017)
Chuck Schumer (2017-2019)
Mitch McConnell (2019-2021)
Sherrod Brown (2021-2023)
John Barrasso (2023-2025)
David Perdue (2025-2027)
Sherrod Brown (2027 - )

Presidents pro tempore of the Senate since Jan 2001
Robert Byrd (2001)
Strom Thurmond (2001)
Robert Byrd (2001-2003)
Ted Stevens (2003-2007)
Robert Byrd (2007-2010)
Dan Inouye (2010-2012)
Patrick Leahy (2012-2015)
Orrin Hatch (2015-2017)
Patrick Leahy (2017-2019)
Chuck Grassley (2019-2021)
Patrick Leahy (2021-2023)
Mitch McConnell (2023-2027)
Russ Feingold (2027 - )

[Trans Rights Are Human Rights]

If Brown is Senate Majority Leader, why isn't he in the Senate?

[GM Team Member and Deputy PPT WB]

If Brown is Senate Majority Leader, why isn't he in the Senate?

:THONK:

[Sestak]

If Brown is Senate Majority Leader, why isn't he in the Senate?

:THONK:

Oops.

Guess I've got to bring back the Unbeatable Titan (TM) to keep balance. Actually that doesn't work either, but this does.

[Sestak]

US Supreme Court as of 2027

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.
Nominated by George W. Bush, confirmed 78-22
Began serving 2005, replacing William Rehnquist (died 2005)

Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.
Nominated by George W. Bush, confirmed 58-42
Began serving 2006, replacing Sandra Day O'Connor (retired upon confirmation)

Associate Justice Sonia M. Sotomayor
Nominated by Barack Obama, confirmed 68-31
Began serving 2009, replacing David Souter (retired upon confirmation)

Associate Justice Elena Kagan
Nominated by Barack Obama, confirmed 63-37
Began serving 2010, replacing John Paul Stevens (retired upon confirmation)

Associate Justice William Pryor
Nominated by Paul Ryan, confirmed 51-50 (nuclear option invoked for confirmation)
Began serving 2016, replacing Antonin Scalia (died 2016)

Associate Justice Zephyr Teachout
Nominated by Tammy Baldwin, confirmed 52-48
Began serving 2017, replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg (retired upon confirmation)

Associate Justice Jane L. Kelly
Nominated by Tammy Baldwin, confirmed 51-50
Began serving 2019, replacing Anthony Kennedy (retired upon confirmation)

Associate Justice Paul J. Watford
Nominated by Tammy Baldwin, confirmed 52-48
Began serving 2022, replacing Clarence Thomas (died 2022)

Associate Justice Amul R. Thapar
Nominated by Guy Reschenthaler, confirmed 55-44
Began serving 2025, replacing Stephen Breyer (died 2024)

By ideology:

Strong Conservatives: 3
Alito
Pryor
Thapar

Moderate Conservatives: 1
Roberts

Centrists:1
Kelly

Moderate Liberals: 1
Kagan

Strong Liberals: 3
Sotomayor
Teachout
Watford

[Pragmatist_TNAG]

Presidents of the United States from Jan 2001
43. George W. Bush (2001-2009); def. Al Gore 2000, John Kerry 2004
44. Barack H. Obama (2009-2013); def. John McCain 2008
45. W. Mitt Romney (2013-2014); def. Barack Obama 2012
46. Paul D. Ryan (2014-2017)
47. Tammy S. Baldwin (2017-2023); def. Paul Ryan 2016, Marco Rubio 2020
48. Tom W. Wolf (2023-2025)
49. Guy Reschenthaler (2025 - )

Vice Presidents of the United States from Jan 2001
46. Dick Cheney (2001-2009)
47. Joe Biden (2009-2013)
48. Paul Ryan (2013-2014)
49. Rick Perry (2014-2016)
50. Jon Huntsman (2016-2017)
51. Tom Wolf (2017-2023)
52. Mike Michaud (2023-2025)
53. Nikki Haley (2025 - )

Speakers of the House from Jan 2001
51. Dennis Hastert (1999-2007)
52. Nancy Pelosi (2007-2017)
53. Ed Markey (2017-2019)
54. Mike Pence (2019-2021)
(53). Ed Markey (2021-2023)
(54). Mike Pence (2023-2027)
55. Tammy Duckworth (2027 - )

Majority Leaders of the Senate from Jan 2001
Tom Daschle (2001)
Trent Lott (2001)
Tom Daschle (2001-2003)
Bill Frist (2003-2007)
Harry Reid (2007-2015)
Mitch McConnell (2015-2017)
Chuck Schumer (2017-2019)
Mitch McConnell (2019-2021)
Sherrod Brown (2021-2023)
John Barrasso (2023-2025)
David Perdue (2025-2027)
Sherrod Brown (2027 - )

Presidents pro tempore of the Senate since Jan 2001
Robert Byrd (2001)
Strom Thurmond (2001)
Robert Byrd (2001-2003)
Ted Stevens (2003-2007)
Robert Byrd (2007-2010)
Dan Inouye (2010-2012)
Patrick Leahy (2012-2015)
Orrin Hatch (2015-2017)
Patrick Leahy (2017-2019)
Chuck Grassley (2019-2021)
Patrick Leahy (2021-2023)
Mitch McConnell (2023-2027)
Russ Feingold (2027 - )

How is Markey a speaker of the house when he was a senator

[Trans Rights Are Human Rights]

How is Markey a speaker of the house when he was a senator

He probably wasn't a Senator ITTL, especially since Obama lost re-election, preventing Kerry from being Secretary of State.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

I like this

[MAINEiac4434]

Maine
1. Zak Ringelstein (since 2025)
2. Betsy Sweet (since 2021)