Pelosi retirement reignites Democrats' generational war
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addresses reporters after a campaign event advocating for Proposition 50 in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. 3. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Former House Speaker Pelosi's (D-Calif.) retirement announcement is touching off a new round of debate about the congressional Democrats in their 70s and 80s who are resisting calls to retire.
Why it matters: Pelosi, 85, was one of dozens of older House Democrats being challenged by a younger primary challenger in what could have proved to be an expensive intra-party battle.
- More than half a dozen insurgent Democratic primary challengers raised more money between July and September than the elderly incumbents they are challenging.
- Some in the party fear that these expensive primaries, all in safe blue seats, will draw attention and resources away from their fight to retake Congress.
State of play: After Pelosi's announcement Thursday, several Democratic insurgents challenging older incumbents were quick to highlight their races.
- Luke Bronin, the former Hartford mayor challenging 77-year-old Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), said in a statement: "Her decision today sends a powerful message that it's time to let new leaders step forward."
- Jasmine Clark, a state representative running against Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), 80, released public records Thursday showing Scott hasn't voted in some recent elections, including the 2024 presidential election.
- "I cannot fathom any elected official asking his constituents for their votes every two years while not even bothering to go vote himself," Clark said.
- Scott's office did not respond to a request for comment.
What they're saying: "I hope more Democratic members of Congress follow her example and pass the torch," former DNC vice chair David Hogg, whose PAC Leaders We Deserve is trying to unseat older Democratic incumbents, said of Pelosi.
- Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), 44, asked if he thinks more of his older colleagues will follow Pelosi's lead, told Axios, "I don't know, that's up to each individual member, but Nancy has always been a trailblazer."
- "Nancy Pelosi is the best to ever do it," said Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run For Something, who encouraged other older members to "take their cues from [Pelosi] and make this their last term."
Between the lines: Since stepping down as Democratic leader in 2022, Pelosi has been a ringleader in some of Democrats' recent watershed moments of generational change.
- In 2024 she played a central role in pushing then-President Biden off the Democratic presidential ticket due to his age and fitness to run, including serving as a sounding board for Biden-skeptical House Democrats.
- Later that year she openly backed several House Democrats who ran against septuagenarian committee leaders seen as too infirm to do their roles, including Scott.
What we're hearing: Sources told Axios that former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is seen as particularly likely to retire.
- A senior House Democrat told Axios that "Steny will" retire, with another Democratic lawmaker saying Hoyer, 86, "has been looking for a replacement" to endorse for his seat.
- Hoyer, who suffered a "mild" stroke last year, is facing several primary challengers and raised just $43,000 between July and September.
- A Hoyer spokesperson did not provide a comment.
Yes, but: "Not everyone" will follow Pelosi's lead, the senior House Democrat who spoke anonymously told Axios.
- The speaker's retirement was "expected," this lawmaker said, but there are "lots of other factors on some."
- Both Scott and Larson, who have suffered recent health challenges, have insisted they are running again, as have many of House Democrats' other septuagenarian and octogenarian members.
- There are 62 House Democrats who are 69 and older, but Pelosi is one of just a half dozen who are retiring without plans to seek higher office.
The intrigue: Pelosi's announcement came just days after Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) joined the list, pulling his reelection bid just in time for his 41-year-old chief of staff Patty Garcia to file as the sole Democratic primary candidate.
- "I got a reality check the same day that i filed for reelection from my cardiologist — I have a heart condition, and I haven't been taking care of what the doctor ordered," García said in a Thursday interview.
- Garcia said he is "aware and somewhat sensitive to the criticism that many of our leaders are older and that the party ... can benefit from an infusion of younger talent."
