Scoop: Democrats' oldest lawmakers are mostly running again
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Democrats are at war with themselves over their aging leadership, but many of the party's oldest members of Congress are still running for reelection in 2026, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Younger Democrats have been engaged in a fierce, internal fight to sideline the 70- and 80-year-olds who they say hold too much sway over the levers of power in their party.
- 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.
- Older lawmakers' refusals to step aside could lead to potentially dozens of contested primaries, Democratic strategists and lawmakers told Axios.
- "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.
State of play: Of the 30 House Democrats who are 75 or older, more than half told Axios they plan to run again in 2026.
- That includes Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), 86; Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), 82; John Garamendi (D-Calif.), 80; Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), 80; Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), 80; Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), 78; Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), 78; Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), 77; Al Green (D-Texas), 77 and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), 77.
- Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), 77; Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), 76; Richard Neal (D-Mass.), 76; Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), 76; Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), 75 and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), 75, are also on the list.
Between the lines: Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), 79, who was ousted as the Agriculture Committee ranking member last year over concerns about his health, is running.
- So is Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), 70, who suffered a stroke last May that forced him to miss House votes the rest of the year.
- Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), 76, who froze up during a House floor speech in February due to a partial seizure, "does intend to run for reelection," his spokesperson said.
Zoom in: House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), 85, declined to say what she will do in 2026, as did former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), 85, and Reps. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), 82, and Alma Adams (D-N.C.), 78.
- Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), 83, told Axios he will decide in "maybe a month" whether he plans to run again. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), 80, is also undecided.
- Only Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), 80, and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), 75, have said they are retiring. Connolly is also stepping down as the ranking member of the Oversight Committee as he battles esophageal cancer.
What we're hearing: For many members, the decision-making rests on a simple calculation: 2026 is poised to be a good election year for their party. Why not take one more chance to be in the majority?
- Cleaver told Axios that "like everybody, I would love to be in the majority, and there are some unfinished things here that I have on my agenda."
- "If it appears that we're going to win the majority back, some people ... thinking about [retirement] might stay just for that one more session," he added.
Zoom in: Other Democrats believe the influence and institutional knowledge they have accrued over decades shouldn't be so easily discarded.
- "My constituents need help from D.C. and I'm effective in bringing home important funding," said Cohen.
- Watson Coleman told Axios: "I've been around a while. ... Some wisdom, at least, is important to what we're going through right now."
- "It's taken me 12 years to become ranking member on a subcommittee for Appropriations," said Frankel. "It's important to me and my constituents."
The other side: A second House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts about their older colleagues said it is "insane" that so many of them are running again.
- "Everybody always says 'throw the bums out,' but they don't mean their person," the lawmaker added, arguing it would be "100%" better for these lawmakers to bow out voluntarily rather than face bloody primaries.
- A third House Democrat said, "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?'"
- Some older members —but not all — are in that position, they added.
The bottom line: Many older lawmakers aren't conceding anything when it comes to their health and vigor.
- Said Thompson, the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee: "I'm good. My health is good."
- "I'm an active, energetic member who is doing the work," said Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee.
