At least former President Joe Biden knew it was time to hang it up (even if it took some coaxing from members of his own party).
But longtime Democratic Washington, D.C., Delegate to the House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton?
No, she’s not going anywhere.
The 87-year-old Norton who turns 88 this Friday and has served 18 terms in Congress, replied “yeah, sure,” after she was asked if she is seeking reelection, Politico reported.
When asked how she would respond to anyone questioning whether she is capable of continuing to serve in Congress at her age, Norton stated:
“I’m going to run,” adding “I don’t know why anybody would even ask me,” the outlet reported.
A spokesperson confirmed Norton’s intentions hours after Norton herself told reporters she intended to run again.
The spokesperson, Sharon Eliza Nichols, said Norton “wants to wants to run again but she’s in conversations with her family, friends, and closest advisors to decide what’s best.”
new – D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton tells me and @sahilkapur she's running for re-elect despite Qs about her ability to serve in Congress
"Yeah, sure," she said when asked about running
“I’m going to run. I don’t know why anybody would even ask me.”https://t.co/VXNljhmSth
— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) June 10, 2025
Norton has served as D.C’s non-voting delegate since 1991.
Prior to Norton’s congressional service, former President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to her House biography.
“I’ve been privileged to have a long and successful career defending the rights of D.C. residents, who have embraced me as their Warrior on the Hill,” Norton said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Through thoughtful discussions with my friends, family, and closest advisors, I’m still considering my options for the next election cycle.”
However, Norton’s shocking comments about seeking re-election come after several recent reports have highlighted concerns over her age and ability to continue serving in Congress effectively.
According to Capitol Hill insiders, Norton has become a less visible presence on the House floor, and her lack of engagement has concerned some local officials and activists.
One prominent former aide and longtime political ally, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, told the Washington Post last week of Norton, “It’s time to turn things over.”
Recently, Norton had a major lapse on the House floor when she failed to understand a key piece of legislature that would impact DC.
According to Politico, DC faced a major funding shortfall after a March stopgap government funding bill failed to allow the city to spend its updated local budget, prompting a scramble to fill a budget hole city officials estimated at $1 billion.
The Senate approved legislation to fix the shortfall, but the House hasn’t taken it up yet.
But when asked this week whether it was important for Speaker Mike Johnson to bring that legislation up for a House vote, Norton surprisingly replied, “No.”
Nichols said Norton misheard the question and believed reporters were asking about the D.C.-related bills on the House floor this week.
Nichols said Norton meant to say those bills aren’t of national importance and were contrary to D.C. residents’ own decisions about their government and believed they shouldn’t have been introduced or brought to the House floor.
“But to anyone questioning my ability to continue serving effectively, I have one simple response: My record speaks for itself,” Norton added.