This week's question was, How many U.S. Senators have announced their retirements so far this cycle?

You answered: 12.
The correct answer was 7.

On Feb. 25, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) announced he would retire from the U.S. Senate on Jan. 3, 2023, triggering a special election to be held this November. With his announcement, Inhofe became one of seven senators to have announced their retirements so far this cycle. This is the largest number of Senate retirements since 2012.

Inhofe, who was most recently re-elected to a six-year term in 2020, could have served until 2027. While his retirement triggers a special election, the other six senators who have announced their retirements were all up for regularly-scheduled elections this year. That list includes the following five Republicans and one Democrat:

• Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
• Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.)
• Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
• Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)
• Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
• Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)

Thanks for your response!