Red wave incoming.

Three Democrats have announced they won’t be returning to the House of Representatives next year, opting to retire rather than run in the 2022 midterms: Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Albio Sires (D-NJ).

That brings the total number of Democrats not running for re-election to 23. Republicans will need to flip just 5 seats to recapture the House majority they lost in 2018.

“Only members themselves know why they decide to retire. But if there’s an imbalance of retirements toward one party or another, it sometimes can tell us something about what the party with a lot of retirees thinks might happen in the midterms,” Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of the nonpartisan political handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball, told Fox News.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) acknowledges the mass exodus but insists its record fundraising numbers may help them retain the House majority.

“House Democrats are heading into the midterms with record-breaking fundraising numbers, earlier than ever investments in organizing, and an agenda that’s wildly popular among battleground voters.” DCCC spokesperson Chris Taylor told Fox News.

 

Still, GOP members are confident the red wave will materialize. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) shared his thoughts with the Hill.

“I’ve been telling Democrats, especially Democrats in targeted seats, enjoy the holidays, and you got a decision to make: retire or lose next fall.”