Top Democrat Congressman Announces Retirement

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Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said he plans to retire instead of seeking re-election in 2026.

Nadler, 78, is one of the longest-serving members of Congress.

The New York Democrat has served in Congress since 1992.

Nadler made the announcement in an interview with The New York Times, referencing Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election.

“Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” he told the outlet, according to POLITICO.

POLITICO shared additional details:

Nadler had already relinquished his role as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee amid private concerns among House Democrats about his ability to stand up to Trump, prompting a challenge for the Judiciary job from a younger colleague, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Nadler achieved national prominence when he served as a manager of Trump’s first impeachment, though his handling of the impeachment probe leading up to it drove conflict with then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Nadler’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nadler already faced a 2026 primary challenger who was trying to turn his age against him. The deep-blue seat is now likely to face a Democratic free-for-all to succeed Nadler.

Nadler is among several House Democrats planning to retire, instead of running for re-election in the 2026 midterms.

Axios explained:

In addition to being the dean of the New York congressional delegation, Nadler is also the longest serving Jewish member of Congress and is the co-chair of the Congressional Jewish Caucus.

He told Axios in May he planned to seek reelection next year because “there’s still a lot of things I want to do that have to be done.”

Nadler is one of four House Democrats retiring without plans to run for another office, joining Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), 81, Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), 70, and Danny Davis (D-Ill.), 83.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) had planned to retire after announcing his departure as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, but he died of esophageal cancer in May at the age of 75.



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