RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Twe more state senators have announced they will not seek re-election, bringing the Senate total to at least five.

On Thursday, Sens. Fletcher Hartsell and Dan Soucek said the 2016 short session will be their last. They join Sens. Stan Bingham, Bob Rucho, and Tom Apodaca.

All five are Republicans.

More than a dozen House members are leaving as well.

The departures are creating chatter in Republican circles about the need to field candidates strong enough to retain GOP majorities. Democrats see the departures as an opportunity to pick up seats.