Longtime New Jersey Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has announced she will not seek reelection, marking the end of a political career that has spanned decades and placing yet another veteran lawmaker on the growing list of aging Democrats exiting Congress ahead of 2026.
Coleman, 80, revealed her decision in a blog post Monday, writing that she had always strived to “lead by example” for her constituents in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District — but that it was time to “hand the torch over to the next leader.”
“I have always been on the front lines of the fight for progressive policies based on principles,” Coleman wrote. “I am not running for reelection, but there’s still a lot to do in my final year as a public official. I will continue to serve my 12th District constituents until the end of my tenure.”
Her announcement signals the close of a lengthy political career that began in New Jersey’s state government, where she served for nearly two decades before winning her U.S. House seat in 2014. Over the years, Coleman became known as a reliable progressive vote in Washington, frequently aligning with the left wing of her party on issues such as climate policy, criminal justice reform, and social spending.
In 2024, Coleman easily secured reelection against Republican challenger Darius Mayfield, earning 61.2 percent of the vote. Her district — which includes parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties — remains one of New Jersey’s safest Democratic strongholds, virtually guaranteeing the seat will stay blue in 2026 regardless of who succeeds her.
Coleman’s retirement adds to a wave of high-profile Democratic departures that have underscored growing concerns about aging leadership in Washington. Just last week, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, now 85, announced she would not run for another term. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), both in their 70s and 80s, also confirmed plans to step aside.
The trend is not confined to one party. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 83, has already stated that he will not seek reelection, signaling that even long-entrenched Republican leaders are beginning to step back as calls for generational change grow louder.
The exodus highlights a broader transformation underway in Congress, where the median age of lawmakers remains historically high and frustration with entrenched incumbency is fueling both primary challenges and retirements. With more members in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s than at any time in modern history, both parties are now grappling with how to transition to new leadership without fracturing their internal coalitions.
For Democrats, Coleman’s exit comes at a delicate time. The party is working to project unity ahead of what’s expected to be a fiercely contested 2026 midterm cycle — even as internal rifts persist between establishment figures and the party’s younger progressive wing.
Coleman’s departure, however, is unlikely to significantly shift the balance of power in the House. The 12th District’s Democratic registration advantage ensures a safe seat, but it could spark a spirited primary among local progressives and rising state officials eager to fill the vacuum.
Still, Coleman’s retirement marks the end of an era for New Jersey Democrats. Her political legacy — from championing social justice to advocating for education and healthcare reform — is likely to endure long after she leaves Capitol Hill.
“I think now is the right time to hand the torch over to the next leader that will lead this charge,” Coleman said in her farewell statement — a nod to both her own long service and the generational shift now reshaping Washington’s political class.
