D.C. delegate in Congress insists for second time she's running for re-election. Her office again says no decision yet.
Context:
Eleanor Holmes Norton, the nonvoting delegate for Washington, D.C. in the House, has stated twice within the month that she intends to run for re-election, but her office has subsequently retracted these statements each time. This discrepancy arises as the Republican-led Congress challenges local laws in Washington, and some city leaders question whether Norton should continue to lead the resistance. The ambiguity around her re-election plans is compounded by broader Democratic concerns regarding age and leadership, highlighted by the recent deaths of several House Democrats and President Biden’s previous unsuccessful re-election attempt. Norton, at 88, is one of the oldest members of Congress, adding to the debate about her candidacy. Her situation mirrors that of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who also faced confusion over re-election communications before her passing at age 90 in 2023.
Dive Deeper:
Eleanor Holmes Norton, aged 88, announced her intention to run for re-election to Congress twice in June 2025, but her office later clarified that no final decision has been made, creating ambiguity about her political future.
The conflicting messages from Norton and her office come at a time when Republican efforts to override local Washington laws, particularly those concerning policing and voting, have intensified, raising questions about her leadership amid these challenges.
The Democratic Party is currently grappling with internal debates over the implications of age and leadership, especially following President Biden's failed re-election bid and the deaths of three House Democrats, which further complicates Norton's potential candidacy.
As one of the oldest members in Congress, Norton's age is a significant factor in discussions about her re-election, drawing parallels to the situation of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who experienced similar communication issues regarding her retirement before her death.
Norton's extensive political career began in 1991, preceded by her appointment as the first female chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, highlighting her longstanding influence and experience in governance.