Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., has now announced she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House next year, becoming the latest senior Democrat to step aside as the party’s congressional leadership sees a generational shift.
“I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities,” Coleman said in a post on X. “While I am not seeking re-election, there is still more to be done in my last year in public office. I absolutely intend to continue serving my constituents in the 12th District straight through to the last day of my term.”
Coleman has represented New Jersey since 2015, after a long tenure in the state legislature from 1998. She secured her most recent victory in 2024 with 61.2 percent of the vote against Republican Darius Mayfield, making the district likely to remain in Democratic hands even without her incumbency.
At 80, Coleman’s retirement follows similar announcements from senior Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who last week confirmed she will not run in 2026 at age 85. Observers note that these departures mark a significant turnover among the party’s long-serving lawmakers, opening space for younger members and signaling a shift in congressional seniority.
Coleman’s decision reflects a broader trend of retirements reshaping the Democratic caucus ahead of the 119th Congress.
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