Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, the longest-serving New Yorker in Congress and the longest-serving Jewish member of the House, is retiring.
Nadler, 78, has spent more than 30 years in Congress and became a leading liberal voice. He also chaired the powerful House Judiciary Committee for four years, where he led two impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Over his long career, Nadler built a long record of accomplishments. But he says his decision to retire isn’t because he feels his work is finished — it’s because he believes it’s time for younger leaders to step in. According to The New York Times, Nadler admitted that concerns over former President Joe Biden’s age while in office helped shape his decision:
[Nadler] said he hesitated to step aside when he believes that President Trump is threatening the foundations of democracy. But he said he had been persuaded it was time for a changing of the guard. “Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Mr. Nadler said, adding that a younger successor “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”
His words are striking. Many Democrats eventually agreed Biden’s age had become a challenge and encouraged him not to run in the 2024 election. Still, that hasn’t led to a wave of older lawmakers leaving office.
Today, more members of Congress are over 70 than ever before. In the House, Democrats have nearly twice as many members over 70 compared to Republicans. This year alone, three House Democrats have died while in office.
Nadler may also be stepping down because of the tough primary races expected in 2026. As NBC News reported, “Despite his seniority, Nadler was bound to face a robust primary challenge from a potentially wide field of younger and more progressive challengers.”
Even so, Nadler’s honesty about the need for generational change stands out. His support for younger progressives seems genuine, especially since he was one of the first high-profile New York Democrats to back democratic socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani after his surprise win in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.
Nadler’s retirement may set an example — and perhaps inspire more Democrats to follow his lead.
