Eleanor Holmes Norton, the non-voting House delegate for Washington DC, has announced she will not seek re-election after 33 years in Congress. The 88-year-old Democrat made the announcement on social media, stating: 'With fire in my soul and the facts on my side, I’ve raised hell about the injustice of denying 700K taxpaying Americans in DC – the same rights given to residents of the states for 33 years.'
First elected in 1990, Norton became known for maximising the limited influence of a non-voting delegate, who can introduce bills and vote in committees but not on the House floor. She pushed Congress to approve policies that helped revive Washington DC amid population decline and the crack cocaine epidemic, while also working to block federal interference in the district’s affairs.
Her primary goal was achieving statehood for the District of Columbia, which has a population of roughly 700,000 but no voting representation in the US House or Senate. In 2021, the House approved a bill to make most of DC the 51st state, but it failed in the Senate due to Republican opposition.
In recent months, questions arose about Norton’s fitness for office. She began reading from prepared remarks at hearings, and faced a primary challenge from a city council member. NBC Washington reported a police document noting 'early stages of dementia' after she lost over $4,400 to a scam.
Norton expressed pride in her accomplishments and confidence in the next generation, saying she will retire at the end of her current term.
