# Congressional math: majorities and vacancies **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 8, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486 "2026-01-08T21:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/61 "2026-04-28T20:45:15Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > But now there’s a shiny new “I’ll be back.” So that means there’s a real good chance he won’t be back? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/62 "2026-05-06T03:00:04Z")
Haven’t heard anything new about Tom Kean lately. However, another Congressman, Chuck Edwards (R-NC), has been accused of sexual improprieties with staffers: [https://www.axios.com/2026/05/04/chuck-edwards-letter-house-ethics](https://www.axios.com/2026/05/04/chuck-edwards-letter-house-ethics) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/63 "2026-05-15T03:05:46Z")
Kean is still absent from Congress. To balance his absence, Frederica Wilson (D-FL) has also been absent for about a month. [https://newrepublic.com/maz/post/210433/democratic-lawmaker-missing-month-midterms](https://newrepublic.com/maz/post/210433/democratic-lawmaker-missing-month-midterms) Both are running for reelection. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/64 "2026-05-15T20:09:21Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > To balance his absence, Frederica Wilson (D-FL) has also been absent for about a month. Unlike Kean, Wilson is very old, and my WAG is that she is physically unable to participate in her duties. They are trying to hide it as best as they can, _Weekend at Bernie’s_ style, but at some point something is gonna give. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/65 "2026-05-15T20:13:01Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Unlike Kean, Wilson is very old, and my WAG is that she is physically unable to participate in her duties. If that’s the case, she should drop out of the election. But that’s also the case for Kean, if he can’t handle the duties. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/66 "2026-05-15T20:20:54Z")
Agreed on both counts. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/67 "2026-05-15T22:37:35Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > Unlike Kean, Wilson is very old, and my WAG is that she is physically unable to participate in her duties. > > If that’s the case, she should drop out of the election. But that’s also the case for Kean, if he can’t handle the duties. The Kean Jr case is very odd. Kean Sr came out with a statement saying he was under a doctors care with some sort of intensive inpatient care. They have been very careful to throw the word “medical” around a lot. If it was something like cancer I doubt they would have an issue talking about it. I can’t help but speculate that it’s either a serious mental health issue or he’s in drug/alcohol rehab. I know this isn’t a great cite but the other one I had required a subscription. The information is the same. > **[GOP Rep's Dad Offers Baffling Excuse for Mysterious Absence](https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-rep-tom-kean-jrs-dad-offers-baffling-excuse-for-mysterious-absence/)** > > Tom Kean Jr.’s father tried to offer assurances without giving away specifics. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/68 "2026-05-15T22:54:32Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I can’t help but speculate that it’s either a serious mental health issue or he’s in drug/alcohol rehab. I was thinking the same thing. It reminds me of what happens when celebrities withdraw from a project or otherwise leave the spotlight and they say it is due to “exhaustion” or a vague medical issue, when it turns out they are in rehab or a mental facility. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/69 "2026-05-16T02:26:50Z")
Latest word on Frederica Wilson is that she had eye surgery. She’ll be back on Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/70 "2026-06-02T17:27:23Z")
Frederica Wilson has now announced her retirement from the House. > **[Rep. Frederica Wilson, an 83-year-old Florida Democrat, won’t seek re-election](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-frederica-wilson-83-year-old-florida-democrat-retiring-rcna346993)** > > Wilson, a former public school teacher and principal known in Congress for her colorful outfits, had repeatedly clashed with President Donald Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/71 "2026-06-03T01:24:58Z")
Tom Kean Jr has won his primary without showing his face. He was unopposed. It will be harder to pull off in the general. His opponent looks good on paper but since I no longer live in the district I haven’t really looked into her. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/72 "2026-06-11T19:45:42Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Rep: 218 (includes one Independent who caucuses with the Rs.) > Dem: 212 > Vacant: 5 > > Elections to fill vacancies: > > CA 01 – primary: Jun 2; general: Aug 4 [R favored] A Republican won an outright majority in the CA-01 primary, so apparently a general election is not required. The House now looks like this: Rep: 219 (includes one Independent who caucuses with the Rs.) Dem: 212 Vacant: 4 However, Tom Kean is still absent, so that effectively reduces the Republican count by one. Frederica Wilson has returned after her eye surgery, so the Ds are potentially at full strength. I say “potentially”, because there are frequent absences from both parties due to representatives campaigning for reelection. Elections to fill vacancies: CA 14 – primary: Jun 16; general: Aug 18 [D favored] GA 13 – general: July 28; runoff (if needed) Aug 25 [D favored] TX 23 – date not set. FL 20 – date not set. Apparently, the last two districts are not going to have special elections, no doubt due to politics. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/73 "2026-06-11T20:33:40Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > A Republican won an outright majority in the CA-01 primary, so apparently a general election is not required. I sort of wondered if they did that, with the jungle primaries. Of course, the primary probably has lower turnout than the general, but still, an outright majority in an anyone-can-run primary is no mean feat, and it’d be very unlikely that the higher turnout in a general could change that. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/74 "2026-06-12T06:15:05Z")
Edit: Never mind I misunderstood that this was about the special. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/75 "2026-09-01T22:59:37Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > However, another Congressman, Chuck Edwards (R-NC), has been accused of sexual improprieties with staffers: > **[House censures Rep. Chuck Edwards for conduct toward former female staffers](https://apnews.com/article/congress-ethics-chuck-edwards-censure-inappropriate-conduct-7cd5aa1f9d249d2c59b5ae7a149c0e7d)** > > The House has censured Rep. Chuck Edwards after an Ethics Committee investigation concluded he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers in his office. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/76 "2026-09-01T23:49:13Z")
“Censured” doesn’t actually result in anything, right? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/77 "2026-09-02T00:03:18Z")
Yes, it’s basically a slap on the wrist. I haven’t updated the count lately. Partly, that’s because the House is in recess, so it doesn’t matter that much right now. Also, I’m not sure if the CA-14 winner (Aisha Wahab) will take her seat right away or on the 25th when the count is official. I suspect the latter. Anyway, the House looks like this: Rep: 219 (includes one Independent who caucuses with the Rs.) Dem: 214 Vacant: 2 The two vacancies will not be filled. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/78 "2026-09-02T00:32:45Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Vacant: 2 > > The two vacancies will not be filled. Huh? The House is losing two seats? ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/79 "2026-09-02T01:26:42Z")
I think he means not filled until the regular election in November. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486/80 "2026-09-02T03:01:45Z")
Right. It’s politics; the two are very likely to be D wins and the governors of those states, FL and TX, are Republicans. So they decided to not to schedule special elections. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-math-majorities-and-vacancies/1026486.md?page=5)