Eleanor Holmes Norton Announces Retirement After 36 Years In Congress
Norton filed FEC paperwork ending her reelection campaign and said she will retire at the end of her current term, citing her decadeslong fight for D.C. statehood.
Overview
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton filed a termination report with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 25, 2026, ending her reelection campaign and announced on Jan. 27, 2026, that she will retire at the end of her current term, officials confirmed.
Her retirement comes after 36 years representing the District of Columbia in Congress since 1991 and follows months of scrutiny over her health and public appearances, including a 2025 police report that described her as in the "early stages of dementia," which her office disputed.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and former police chief Robert C. White Jr. praised Norton in statements on social media, while local candidates including Trent Holbrook and Brooke Pinto were already positioning for the open seat, according to campaign filings and social posts.
FEC records show Norton raised $7.50 between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25, 2026, reported $0 cash on hand, raised $2,520 in Q4 2025, and recorded nearly $117,000 in spending plus a $40,000 loan, records show.
An open Democratic primary is scheduled for June 16, 2026, and potential successors include city council members and former congressional aides, signaling a competitive race to replace Norton's long tenure.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Norton's retirement as the denouement of a long career shadowed by questions about age and effectiveness, juxtaposing accomplishments with repeated emphasis on health, FEC filings and staff disputes. They prioritize recent criticisms and procedural details, using selective ordering and highlighted facts to suggest decline despite cited achievements.
Sources (15)
FAQ
Eleanor Holmes Norton has served as D.C.'s delegate to Congress since 1991, totaling 36 years by the end of her current term.
Norton announced her retirement to 'lift up' the next generation of leaders after 36 years in Congress, while emphasizing her ongoing fight for D.C. statehood and equal rights.
Concerns arose from a 2025 police report describing her as in the 'early stages of dementia' during a scam incident, which her office disputed, amid scrutiny over her age (88) and reduced public appearances.
An open Democratic primary for D.C.'s delegate seat is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
Potential successors include D.C. Council members Robert White (At-Large), Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), and others like Trent Holbrook, positioning for the June 2026 primary.
History
3 sources
4 sources