Pro-Crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis to Exit 2026 Race

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis said on Friday that she will not run for reelection, confirming that her current term will be her last in Washington. The Wyoming Republican made the announcement publicly, ending months of speculation as the 2026 election cycle approaches.

Lummis described the decision as personal, pointing to the physical and mental demands of another six-year term, but made clear that her work is not finished. In her remaining tenure, she plans to push priority bills, including long-backed crypto reforms.

A personal decision, not a political retreat

In a statement shared on X, Lummis framed her decision as deeply personal rather than ideological. She said the physical and mental toll of extended Senate sessions made it clear she no longer had “six more years” in her, describing herself as “a sprinter in a marathon.”

She emphasized that Wyoming had been her sole priority throughout her career. She credited close working relationships with John Barrasso, the late Mike Enzi, and Rep. Harriet Hageman for maintaining a unified front on state interests in Washington.

While stepping away from reelection, Lummis said she is not stepping back from influence. She said her focus now is on finishing key legislative work and backing Republican control of the Senate, while continuing to work closely with President Donald Trump through 2026.

A defining voice on crypto in Congress

Lummis’ departure comes as she remains one of Capitol Hill’s most persistent advocates for digital asset regulation. Earlier this month, she confirmed plans to move forward with a markup hearing on the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, a sweeping crypto market structure bill she co-authored with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The proposal aims to clarify the roles of U.S. regulators, potentially expanding the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s authority while reducing uncertainty that has long plagued crypto firms. Progress stalled amid shutdowns and DeFi disputes, but Lummis warned that waiting longer now risks doing more harm than pushing a deal forward.

Her crypto stance is not new. As early as 2022, Lummis publicly argued that Bitcoin “can’t be stopped,” citing inflation, national debt, and real-world economic pressure on households in Wyoming. She repeatedly positioned Bitcoin as a long-term hedge rather than a speculative asset, a view that shaped her legislative priorities.

Senate reaction underscores her influence

Reaction from colleagues was swift and bipartisan in tone. Senator Eric Schmitt praised Lummis as “tough and conservative,” while Senator Dan Sullivan highlighted her leadership on financial policy and her role in pushing back against federal overreach in western states. Senator Mike Lee called her an “outstanding colleague” and said the Senate was better for having had her in it.

The Senate is better for having had @SenLummis in it. She is an outstanding colleague, a great patriot, and a good friend. I am sorry to see her go, but I can see why anyone would choose more time in Wyoming over Washington! https://t.co/W8pM7SnpCX

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 19, 2025

The consistent theme across reactions was respect for her subject-matter depth, particularly in financial regulation, an area where few lawmakers developed the same level of technical engagement with digital assets.

What comes next

Lummis’ exit marks a transition moment for crypto policy in Washington. While momentum has built around market structure and stablecoin legislation, her absence will leave a gap among lawmakers willing to engage deeply with the technology rather than treat it as a talking point.

For now, she is making her priorities clear: finish the work, get bills to the president’s desk, and leave behind a regulatory framework she believes will outlast her time in office.

Also read: Poland Revives Crypto Bill, Sends Disputed MiCA Law to Senate

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