Many of the oldest Democrats in Congress are barreling ahead with 2026 reelection bids despite the party’s fierce internal fight over sidelining the 70- and 80-year-olds at the top echelons of party power.
Some call it grit. Or call it stubbornness. But their determination to run could lead to dozens of primary challenges, Democratic strategists and lawmakers told us.
The debate is resurfacing with a fury this week as the forthcoming book “Original Sin” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson reveals new details about former President Biden’s deterioration as he sought reelection last year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a third of our members have primaries, because that’s the energy that’s out there,” said one House Democrat.
Of the 30 House Democrats who are 75 or older, more than half told us they plan to run again in 2026.
- That includes Reps. Maxine Waters (Calif.), 86; Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), 82; John Garamendi (Calif.), 80; Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.), 80; Lloyd Doggett (Texas), 78; Marcy Kaptur (Ohio), 78; Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), 77; Al Green (Texas), 77; Bennie Thompson (Miss.), 77; Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), 77; Richard Neal (Mass.), 76; Steve Cohen (Tenn.), 75; and Joyce Beatty (Ohio), 75.
- Rep. Dwight Evans (Pa.), 70, who suffered a stroke last May that forced him to miss House votes the rest of the year, is running.
- So is Rep. David Scott (Ga.), 79, who was ousted as the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee last year over concerns about his health.
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), 85, declined to say what she will do in 2026, as did former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), 85, and Reps. Frederica Wilson (Fla.), 82, and Alma Adams (N.C.), 78.
Zoom in: “I would love to be in the majority, and there are some unfinished things here that I have on my agenda, said 80-year-old Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), who’s undecided about running again.
- “I haven’t started thinking about not doing it,” Cleaver said. “One of my colleagues came up to me and said, ‘I hope I don’t hear you trying to start talking about retiring.'”
- “My constituents need help from D.C. and I’m effective in bringing home important funding,” said Cohen.
- Watson Coleman told us: “I’ve been around a while. … Some wisdom, at least, is important to what we’re going through right now.”
😡 But a second House Democrat — who spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts about their older colleagues — said it’s “insane” so many of them are running again.
- “Everybody always says ‘throw the bums out,’ but they don’t mean their person,” they added, arguing it would be “100%” better for these lawmakers to bow out voluntarily rather than face bloody primaries.
- “Everyone has to really do a self-assessment and ask themselves: ‘Am I in the best position to do everything I can to protect the American people?'” a third House Dem told us.
The bottom line: Many older lawmakers aren’t conceding anything when it comes to their health and vigor.
- “I’m good. My health is good,” said Thompson, the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee.
- “I’m an active, energetic member who is doing the work,” said Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee.