DC Congresswoman Norton, 87, waffles on reelection amid signs of decline, Dems' purge mode

The oldest House member, Washington, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, is considering retirement amid signs of decline and others pushing her to leave office.

Norton, who turns 88 on Friday and has held her seat since 1991, initially told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday regarding the next congressional election, “I’m going to run. I don’t know why anybody would even ask me.”

However, hours later, Norton said in a statement that “through thoughtful discussions with my friends, family, and closest advisers, I’m still considering my options for the next election cycle,” The New York Times reported.

Holmes, who as a delegate can vote on bills in committee but cannot cast final floor votes, said she was “among the most effective lawmakers in Congress” and “a tireless advocate for home rule and D.C.’s right to self-government,” rebuking “anyone questioning my ability to continue serving effectively.”

A spokesperson for Norton told NOTUS regarding the change in statements, “She wants to run again but she’s in conversations with her family, friends, and closest advisors to decide what’s best.”

Some members of the Democratic Party, as it tries to rebrand after losing the White House in 2024, have moved toward trying to replace long-standing elected officials including five-term New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat, though largely over his mishandling of a recent spending bill. 

In addition, the co-chairman of the Democratic National Committee, David Hogg, has backed young primary challegers to incumbents, breaking from the group's non-standing tradition not to do so.

In April, while speaking at the Arena Stage, Norton referred to the “National Environment for the Arts,” praised the D.C. theater for contributions to “freedom of suppression and democracy,” and half-said, half-spelled the name of a former board Chairwoman Beth Newburger Schwartz, as “Ethel N-E-W Burger Schwartz.”

D.C. council members have raised questions about Norton's ability to do her job and said it was time for her to retire, The Washington Post reported.

Norton's longtime friend and former acting chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Donna Brazile, also said it's time for her to.

“As her friend and someone who deeply admires her, I’ve made my peace with recommending to her that I think this is her final term,” Brazile said. “This is an opportunity to help the District write a new chapter.”