Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the long-serving congressional delegate for the District of Columbia, has sent mixed signals about her political future, sparking questions about her ability to continue serving in office. Despite twice telling reporters in June that she planned to seek a 19th term, her office quickly walked back both statements, saying no final decision had been made.
On June 10, Norton told reporters she intended to run for reelection. But hours later, her spokesperson, Sharon Nichols, clarified that while Norton “wants to run again,” she was still in discussions with family and close advisors. The same sequence played out again on June 25, when Norton repeated her intention to run—only for Nichols to once again temper expectations, saying the delegate was still weighing her options.
Norton, 88, has represented D.C. in Congress since 1991 and built her career as a respected civil rights activist, law professor, and former chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her progressive legacy and strong support in the district have kept her firmly in office for decades.
Yet recent months have brought renewed scrutiny. Reports in The New York Times and The Washington Post cite friends, colleagues, and D.C. council members expressing concern over her mental sharpness and suggesting that it may be time for her to step aside. Norton is currently the oldest non-voting member of Congress and older than any of her voting counterparts.
The uncertainty surrounding Norton’s decision comes amid broader concerns about aging leadership within the Democratic Party. Of the last seven members of Congress to die in office, all were Democrats. And while Norton had considered running for the powerful ranking member slot on the House Oversight Committee earlier this year, she ultimately withdrew from consideration. That post was vacated after Rep. Gerry Connolly, who had been on leave, died in May.
Norton’s office has yet to issue a firm timeline for a decision. For now, Washington waits—and wonders.
