Longest-serving House Democrat Hoyer to retire

"I did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed, outstayed his or her ability to do the job," Rep. Steny Hoyer said

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: January 8, 2026 9:14am

The longest-serving House Democrat, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, said he will retire from office.

Hoyer, 86, told The Washington Post on Wednesday that he is planning to retire.

"I did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed, outstayed his or her ability to do the job," he said.

Hoyer will make his formal announcement when he speaks on the chamber floor at 10 a.m. on Thursday, NBC News reported.

He has held his seat since winning a special election in 1981, and twice served as House majority leader under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Hoyer was also the House minority whip when Pelosi was the minority leader. He stepped down from leadership in 2022 when Pelosi did.

Hoyer represents Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, which is solid blue and situated between Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, running down to the southern end of the state.

He joins Pelosi and fellow Democratic Reps. Jerry Nadler of New York and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois in deciding that they’re not seeking another term.