DC Delegate Norton says she's not retiring but challengers have emerged as campaign cash dwindles

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the longtime House member representing the District of Columbia, has said she doesn't plan to retire, even as primary challengers have emerged.

Now in her 18th term, Norton, 88, has served as D.C.’s non-voting delegate in the House since 1991. But recent signals from within the Democratic Party and her campaign’s latest financial disclosures have raised questions about whether she will continue running for re-election in the 2026 midterms.

Some Democrats have called on her to step down, including Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who once served as Norton’s campaign manager and congressional chief of staff.

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Brazile said Washington, D.C., is "under attack as at no other time in recent history, and we need a new champion to defend us" during the second Trump administration.

Meanwhile, amid reports of Norton’s alleged cognitive decline, her congressional staff has said no final decision has been made about the congresswoman's reelection bid, as she talks with family, friends and advisers, according to Politico.

 Primary challengers to Norton, who has long advocated for D.C. statehood, have already announced that they are running for her seat. As a delegate, Norton can vote on bills in the chamber's committees but cannot a final floor vote.

D.C. Council members Brooke Pinto and Robert White have both announced their intention to run. 

Jacque Patterson, president of the D.C. State Board of Education, and Deirdre Brown, chair of the Ward 3 Democrats, also filed to run for the non-voting seat.

According to Federal Election Commission records, Norton’s campaign account reported just $6,477.50 cash on hand as of Sept. 30.

As recently as last month, Norton told a reporter that she is not retiring. 

Just the News asked Norton’s campaign whether she is all-in on running for re-election, but they did not respond.