87-Year-Old Eleanor Holmes Norton Backtracks on Her Reelection Plans

She had insisted as recently as Tuesday that she would run for reelection despite questions about her ability to do her job.

Eleanor Holmes Norton
Tom Williams/AP

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the delegate from the District of Columbia and oldest member of the House of Representatives, backtracked on her plans to run for reelection after saying unequivocally on Tuesday, “I’m going to run.”

It is now unclear whether she will.

Despite concerns about her age and engagement on various issues, including from some Washington city council members, Norton had said she planned to run for reelection. And on Tuesday, when asked by reporters for her response to criticism over concerns about her age, Norton said her decision to run for reelection shouldn’t come as a surprise.