Another House Democrat over 70 says he will retire
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Rep. Dwight Evans at a House Ways and Means Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 31, 2023. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) said Monday he will retire in 2026 after initially telling Axios he planned to run for reelection to his Philadelphia-based seat.
Why it matters: The 71-year-old is the latest in what many younger Democrats hope will be a wave of septuagenarian and octogenarian lawmakers opting not to try to hold onto their seats.
- The party is engaged in an internal civil war over age, with older lawmakers across the country facing primary challenges from younger insurgents tired of waiting for them to retire.
- Evans, who suffered a stroke last year that kept him from voting at the Capitol for much of 2024 and has since confined him to a walker, has been among the prime targets of those efforts.
What he's saying: "I remain in good health and fully capable of continuing to serve," Evans said in a statement.
- But, he added, "After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026."
- The House Democrat, who has served in Congress since 2016 and was previously a state legislator for 35 years, said he will serve out the remainder of his term through Jan. 3, 2027.
Zoom out: Evans is the third House Democrat this year to announce their retirement without plans to seek higher office. All were over 70.
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said in April he would retire — and relinquish his role as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee — after his esophageal cancer returned. The 75-year-old died the following month.
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), 81, announced in May she would retire amid a primary challenge from 26-year-old progressive Kat Abughazaleh.
What to watch: Democrats' younger wing is hoping this will just be the beginning, with progressive groups saying they expect dozens of older incumbents to face primary challenges.
- The hope among grassroots activists is that many of these incumbent members will be compelled to retire rather than fight brutal reelection battles after years of facing only token opposition.
- But more than half of the 30 House Democrats who are 75 or older have told Axios they plan to run for reelection — setting the stage for bruising fights across the country.
Editor's note; This story has been updated with additional reporting.
