Jerrold Nadler to Leave Congress, Joining Other Veteran Democrats

New York Democrat Rep. Jerrold Nadler has announced that he will not be seeking reelection, passing on the torch to younger Democrats after over three decades in Congress.

Nadler, a 78-year-old who previously chaired the House Judiciary Committee, revealed his intentions to The New York Times in an article published Monday. He explained that the issue of former President Joe Biden’s health inspired him to retire.

“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 told The New York Times, adding that a younger successor “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”

Speaking to the paper on the question of whether other senior Democrats should retire, Nadler said, “I think a certain amount of change is very helpful, especially when we face the challenge of Trump and his incipient fascism.”

Prior to his decision to duck out of the race, Nadler was facing a primary challenge from Liam Elkind, a 26-year-old calling for “new leaders,” who claimed to have raised over $340,000 in the first day of his campaign.

Nadler’s departure fits into a wider trend of long-time Democrat incumbents leaving government in the wake of Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who is 80 years old, will not be seeking reelection. 

Additionally, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, has said he will not be seeking reelection unless courts overturn the Lone Star State’s redistricting. 36-year-old Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, has already announced a run for Doggett’s seat.

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