Longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler is being pushed out of office by his party. Nadler officially announced Monday he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending a 34-year career that made him one of the most powerful liberal voices in Congress and a central figure in President Trump’s first impeachment.
The 78-year-old New York Democrat said that President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race convinced him that Democrats need younger leadership.
“Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Nadler said.
Nadler’s decision reflects mounting pressure within the Democratic Party to replace aging lawmakers. The congressman already lost his position as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee amid concerns from fellow Democrats about his ability to effectively challenge Trump.
The retirement announcement comes after Nadler faced a primary challenge from 26-year-old Liam Elkind, who was using the congressman’s age as a campaign issue. Nadler acknowledged that a younger replacement “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”
Nadler has served as dean of New York’s congressional delegation and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Jewish member of Congress. He co-chairs the Congressional Jewish Caucus and ranks as the 10th most senior House member overall.
The congressman rose to national prominence during Trump’s first impeachment, when he led the House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment proceedings in 2019. His confrontational relationship with Trump dates back to the 1980s, when the two clashed over Manhattan development projects.
“I’m not saying we should change over the entire party,” Nadler said. “But I think a certain amount of change is very helpful, especially when we face the challenge of Trump and his incipient fascism.”
Despite announcing his retirement, Nadler expressed confidence about Democratic prospects for retaking the House.
“Then you can cut the reign of terror in half,” he said about potential Democratic control of Congress in 2026.
The announcement surprised observers, given that Nadler said in May that he planned to seek reelection because “there’s still a lot of things I want to do that have to be done.”
Nadler joins a growing host of elderly House Democrats that are retiring, including Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, 81, Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania, 70, and Danny Davis of Illinois, 83.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Nadler as a “relentless fighter for justice, civil rights and liberties and the fundamental promise of equality for all.” Jeffries highlighted Nadler’s work following September 11, 2001, fighting for New York City residents and first responders.
“After the attacks of September 11, 2001, he spent years fighting for the care and support that New York City and his constituents needed to begin to rebuild and heal,” Jeffries said. “Jerry’s years of leadership have earned him a spot among our nation’s greatest public servants.”
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called Nadler a champion of socialist causes.
“For more than 30 years, when New Yorkers needed a champion, we have turned to Jerry Nadler – and he has delivered for us time and again,” Mamdani wrote on social media.
Nadler’s Manhattan-based seat is considered safely Democratic, setting up what will likely be a competitive primary to replace him. While Nadler has not endorsed a successor, sources familiar with his thinking suggest he may support Micah Lasher, who represents parts of the Upper West Side in the New York State Assembly.