The 2026 primary season just handed government affairs professionals a masterclass in political risk — and the tuition was paid by three powerful Republican incumbents. Bill Cassidy. Thomas Massie. John Cornyn. Between them: decades of congressional experience, coveted committee assignments, and deep donor networks. All three lost to Trump-backed challengers this month. The takeaway isn't about party politics. It's about strategic risk. When incumbents become vulnerable, every relationship built around them becomes fragile. The professionals who will thrive in this environment aren't the ones with the deepest ties to any single champion — they're the ones who've built wide networks, stayed current on shifting political winds, and can reframe their message for the moment. Three losses. One lesson: institutional stability is no longer a strategy. #GovernmentAffairs #Advocacy #Congress #bmgstrategies