One of Congress’s oldest members, 88, vows to go for re-election

WorldPolitics
6 Sep 2025 • 1:47 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • 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.

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