New Jersey Democrat joins wave of senior lawmakers retiring in 2026

Continuing the trend of resignations in the 119th Congress, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., announced she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives next year.

“I made a promise years ago to always lead on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that promise to the best of my ability. I have always been on the front lines of the fight for principled progressive policies,” Coleman said. said in a message on X.

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“While I am not seeking re-election, there is still more to be done in my final year in public office. I fully intend to continue serving my constituents in the 12th District through the last day of my term.”

Coleman has represented New Jersey since 2015 and previously served as the Garden State’s state lawmaker from 1998 until her arrival in Congress. She last won reelection in 2024 with a 61.2%-36.4% victory over Republican challenger Darius Mayfied.

Even without their incumbency advantage, Republicans are unlikely to capture New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.

Coleman, 80, is just the latest lawmaker to announce retirements among Democrats, marking a changing tide in the makeup of the party’s senior members. Her announcement follows that of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi D-Calif., who at age 85, similarly announced last week that she would not seek re-election in 2026.

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Other notable ones Democrats leaving Congress next year include Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. – 80 and 78 years old respectively.

Questions about age have persisted on Capitol Hill as – in both parties – figures like Pelosi and Sen. Mitch McConnell R-Ky., raise questions about how far lawmakers should push their public services. McConnell, who led Republicans as Senate majority leader, also will not seek re-election.

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Coleman said she believed she had to resign to make way for new figures in the party.

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“I believe this is the time to pass the torch to the next leader who will continue to lead this charge,” Coleman said.