88-year-old Democrat is seeking re-election to Congress in 2026: ‘I’m not stepping aside’
One of Congress’s oldest members, 88, vows to go for re-election
- DC's Democratic congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, has announced her intention to seek re-election in 2026, asserting that her seniority is a "very important" asset.
- Her decision follows reports of her appearing to struggle physically and concerns from some colleagues regarding her declining faculties, claims which she has refuted.
- Currently, 24 members of the US House and Senate are aged over 80, with Democrats forming the majority of this group.
- Several other senior Democrats, including John Larson and David Scott, have also indicated they have no immediate plans to retire, despite some experiencing health issues.
- The discussion around generational change in politics has been further fuelled by New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, 78, who cited the visible decline of Joe Biden as a reason for his decision not to seek re-election.