Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives and a central figure in the city’s modern political history, has decided not to seek re-election, bringing an end to a congressional career that has spanned 35 years.
Norton, who at age 88 was one of the oldest Members of Congress, recently filed paperwork to terminate her reelection campaign, signaling that she will step aside at the conclusion of her current term. Since arriving on Capitol Hill in 1991, she has served as the District’s sole representative in Congress, becoming one of the nation’s most persistent advocates for civil rights, home rule and statehood for Washington, even as her position denied her a formal vote on the House floor.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised Norton’s legacy, calling her “our Warrior on the Hill” and crediting her with decades of consequential advocacy. “From securing shutdown protection for the city and the creation of DCTAG, to defeating continued attacks on Home Rule and leading historic votes in the House for DC Statehood,” Bowser said in a statement, “her work embodies the unwavering resolve of a city that refuses to yield in its fight for equal representation.”
Before entering Congress, Norton built a national profile as a civil rights leader. She participated in Freedom Summer in Mississippi in 1963, helped organize the March on Washington, and later became the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she oversaw enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws.
In Congress, Norton focused on issues central to the District’s stability and autonomy. She played a key role in legislation that helped guide the city through its 1990s financial crisis, championed educational access through programs such as the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant, and repeatedly introduced statehood legislation that kept the issue in the national spotlight. Her advocacy helped lead to historic House votes in favor of D.C. statehood, even as the measure stalled in the Senate.
Norton also worked to secure Capitol Hill as a sledding hill for local DC residents, after US Capitol Police started to restrict access during snow days. Locals took advantage of this recently following a major snowstorm along the East Coast.
In recent years, Norton’s tenure drew increased scrutiny as questions arose about generational change and the District’s need for forceful representation amid renewed federal pressure on local governance. Those debates intensified as the city confronted challenges to home rule and autonomy during shifting political landscapes in Washington.
Her decision not to run again opens the door to one of the most competitive races for the delegate seat in recent memory. Several local Democrats have already begun jockeying for position ahead of the primary, setting up a contest that could reshape the District’s representation on Capitol Hill.
