Democratic Representative Jerrold Nadler, the longtime dean of New York’s congressional delegation and former chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, has confirmed he will not seek reelection in the upcoming year.
In a heartfelt statement released on Tuesday, Nadler stated, “This decision has not been easy. But I know in my heart it is the right one and that it is the right time to pass the torch to a new generation.”
Nadler, who is currently in his 17th full term, is stepping down at a pivotal moment, likely paving the way for a highly competitive Democratic primary in a district that overwhelmingly supports Democratic candidates in Manhattan.
Citing a desire for generational change within the Democratic Party, Nadler expressed that he reflected on President Joe Biden’s late decision to withdraw from the race when considering his own political future.
He noted, “Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” during an interview with The New York Times.
A noted liberal, Nadler took the helm of the Judiciary Committee after the Democrats regained control of the House in 2019.
Throughout his tenure, he has been an advocate for critical civil liberties legislation and has played a significant role in efforts to address issues such as gun violence, voting rights, and immigration reform.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, Nadler was a prominent figure in pushing for oversight and investigation.
His leadership included key hearings focused on the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, as well as his involvement in the House impeachment team pertaining to the first impeachment trial of Trump, which ultimately resulted in a Senate acquittal.
As 2024 approaches, with Republicans fully controlling Congress and Trump resuming his political role, Nadler previously announced he would not seek to serve as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, instead endorsing Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin for that position.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed gratitude for Nadler’s contributions, stating, “After the attacks of September 11, 2001, he spent years fighting for the care and support that New York City and his constituents needed to begin to rebuild and heal.”
Jeffries also acknowledged Nadler as an integral figure in both national issues and local concerns, emphasizing his role as a mentor within the Democratic caucus.
Nadler’s decision comes amid already brewing competition, as he had faced a primary challenge from nonprofit CEO Liam Elkind prior to his retirement announcement.
Given the district’s overwhelming Democratic majority, additional candidates are likely to emerge in the race to fill Nadler’s seat, particularly following his resounding victory for a 17th term last fall, where he won by an impressive 61 points.
Sources suggest that if Upper West Side state Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a former aide to Nadler, enters the race, he could receive Nadler’s endorsement.
Nadler’s journey in politics began in 1976 with his election to the New York State Assembly, following a 16-year tenure that he successfully transitioned into a seat in the House after winning a special election in 1992 prompted by the passing of Democratic Rep. Ted Weiss.
Throughout much of his career, he faced minimal opposition, often running unopposed in Democratic primaries.
However, in 2016, Nadler encountered his first primary challenge in two decades after he diverged from some of his colleagues by endorsing the framework for the nuclear agreement with Iran, ultimately winning that contest with 90 percent of the vote.
In 2022, he faced a competitive primary against fellow Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a result of a drawn-out redistricting process that placed both of them in the same district.
He emerged victorious with 55 percent of the vote, compared to Maloney’s 24 percent and Suraj Patel’s 19 percent.
Concluding his tenure, Nadler has already made strides to empower younger leaders within the Democratic Party, including being one of the early endorsers of Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old candidate for New York City mayor, signifying his commitment to facilitating new voices in political spaces.
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