Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, 80, Announces Her Retirement

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, 80, announced she will not be seeking reelection next year.

“I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family who have graciously sacrificed by my side when I placed serving our community above all else and I can truly say, I am at peace with my decision,” Watson Coleman wrote in a lengthy statement Monday.

Watson Coleman, a second-generation legislator, was first elected to her House seat in 2015, becoming the first Black woman to represent the state in Congress.

“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,” the statement continued. “I have always stood on the frontlines in the fight for principled progressive policies and my work has centered on the belief that there must be a floor below which we should never allow any child, family, or person to fall. This is evident in my legislative agenda to build an economy for all, reform our criminal justice system, achieve health equity, and eliminate poverty.”

Watson Coleman has served as a consistent liberal voice on Capitol Hill, repeatedly speaking out against President Donald Trump and serving on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

In her statement, Coleman referred to last week’s Election Day as an example of “what happens when we work together and we stand against the horrific and oppressive policies emanating from the Trump White House.”

“We must continue to stand and fight against those who would target the vulnerable and attempt to harm our democracy,” she continued.

The only registered candidate to replace Coleman so far is Democrat Kyle Little, a local business owner and university professor.