How Retirements Like Paul Ryan’s Are Shrinking Republicans’ Built-In Advantage in the House

Alone, no single retirement can do much to shift the national race for House control. But after a year full of them, it seems Republicans can’t afford too many more. Each new departure, including the retirement of House Speaker Paul Ryan, narrows the Republican path to retain the House. …

The retirements are so consequential because they deprive the party of the advantage of incumbency. CONT.

Nate Cohn, New York Times