88-year-old Dem insists she’s running for reelection, but her staff thinks otherwise

Longtime Democratic Washington, D.C., Delegate to the House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton has once again said she intends to seek reelection in 2026, only for her office to walk back her comments.

Norton, who turned 88 on June 13, told NBC News on Wednesday that she was running for reelection, saying “yeah, I’m gonna run for re-election.” Shortly after, her spokesperson told Axios that “no decision has been made” about Norton seeking a 19th term in office.

Earlier in June, Norton replied “yeah, sure,” after she was asked if she is running for reelection, Politico reported. When asked how she would respond to anyone questioning her ability to continue serving in Congress at her age, Norton insisted that she is planning to run for another term, saying “I don’t know why anybody would even ask me,” the outlet reported.

Norton later said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation on June 10 that “through thoughtful discussions with my friends, family, and closest advisors, I’m still considering my options for the next election cycle.”

In April, Norton told Axios that she was mulling making a bid for ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, but her office walked back the comments shortly after. Democratic California Rep. Robert Garcia, 47, eventually won the post on June 24.

Norton has served as D.C’s non-voting delegate since 1991. Norton’s staff appearing to walk back her comments about wanting to run for reelection come after some recent reports have highlighted concerns over whether she is fit to continue serving in Congress at her age.

Earlier in June, some anonymous House Democrats told Axios that Norton has recently become much less involved at work in recent months. One anonymous House Democrat told the outlet that Norton “reads what her staff puts in front of her,” adding that her office has now become “staff-driven.”

Norton’s office did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s most recent request for comment.

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