Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Democratic delegate representing Washington, D.C. in the House of Representatives, has announced her intention to run for re-election next year, despite growing concerns about her age and effectiveness in Congress.
Norton, who turns 88 this week and currently stands as the oldest member of the House, has served as D.C.’s nonvoting delegate since 1991. Her announcement came during an interview with NBC News, where she questioned why anyone would even ask about her electoral plans.
According to MSNBC, the delegate’s decision has prompted public criticism from her closest allies, including longtime Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who managed Norton’s first campaign. “It’s time to turn things over. You’ve done it all,” Brazile said about her friend, indicating that Norton had been considering whether to seek re-election.
Growing concerns about Norton’s reduced presence in Congress
Recent months have seen increasing worry about Norton’s ability to effectively represent her constituents. It also raised concerns about Nancy Pelosi’s declining public presence and capacity to lead. A profile in Washingtonian magazine revealed that the once-vigorous champion of D.C.’s interests has largely withdrawn from public view, with her committee appearances becoming brief and procedural.
The situation has escalated to the point where four of the 13 D.C. Council members have expressed concern about her fitness to continue serving, with three explicitly stating she should step down. This comes at a particularly crucial time when Washington, D.C.’s home rule faces challenges from Republican colleagues and requires strong advocacy.
Norton’s diminished public presence coincides with significant challenges to D.C.’s autonomy and the federal agencies that employ many of its residents. As the only federal elected representative for Washingtonians, her reduced effectiveness leaves hundreds of thousands of constituents vulnerable to Congressional interference in local governance.
The controversy surrounding Norton’s re-election bid reflects a broader issue within the Democratic Party regarding aging leadership, an issue that’s crossed party lines. The current Congress is the third oldest in American history, and three members of the House Democratic Caucus have died since the term began in January.
