Long-Serving Congressman Announces Retirement

A congressman from Washington, D.C., has announced the end of his re-election campaign after 18 consecutive terms in the House.

Democratic Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has served since 1991, is retiring at 88 years old. While many of his Democratic colleagues have praised his long career, some have expressed private concerns about cognitive decline, which influenced his decision to retire.

“With a fire in my soul and facts on my side, I have fought hard against the injustice of denying 700,000 American taxpayers in Washington, D.C., the same rights that residents of every state have enjoyed,” said Norton in a post. He expressed pride in his accomplishments and gratitude to D.C. residents.

Interestingly, Norton officially filed the necessary paperwork to cease his campaign on Sunday but waited until Tuesday to make a public announcement. “The privilege of public service is inseparable from the responsibility of knowing when it’s time to elevate the next generation of leaders,” he noted in his statement. “For D.C., that time has come.” He emphasized his pride and gratitude while confirming his retirement at the end of this term.

Congratulating Norton on his extensive career, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described him as “our warrior on the hill.” She highlighted his achievements, including securing protections for the city and advocating for D.C. statehood, reflecting the city’s ongoing battle for equal representation.