For thirty years, Eleanor Holmes Norton has represented her position as the District of Columbia’s representative in Congress. However, with her hold on the role appearing to weaken and nine months until the Democratic primary, local politicians are preparing for a battle unlike any seen since her initial election in 1990.
On paper, it’s a challenging position: The delegate holds one of the weakest roles in the House, lacking a final vote on the floor and facing an endless struggle to advocate for statehood. Recently, this role has required clashing with Republicans as the president deploys federal troops.
However, in a region of the country that lacks elected senators, representatives, and a governor’s position to campaign for, Norton’s seat is becoming increasingly appealing to an expanding group of aspiring candidates.
This presents a significant opportunity for individuals. There are only so many positions available through elections,” said Mary Cheh, a former member of the D.C. Council who senses the changing atmosphere. “No one has been in the scene longer than Eleanor. It’s as if the floodgates have opened, and everyone is rushing in.
One of them is Robert White, an at-large D.C. councilmember. He launched his campaign for delegate last week, just as House Republicans wereusing an oversight hearingto depict the city as plagued by crime and incapable of self-governance.
“We only have one seat in this whole body. The person in that position needs to be our strongest advocate,” said White, who previously served as an aide to Norton and finished second to Muriel Bowser in the 2022 Democratic mayoral primary.
For White, it’s entirely about timing. “If you had spoken to me during the summer, I would have told you there’s no way I’m running,” he stated, pointing to Donald Trump’s display of strength as a pivotal moment. “This is our greatest weakness. … We might not have an elected D.C. government if we can’t change things here.”
He won’t be the only one advocating for this position before the June primary. Other candidates who have announced their runs include Kinney Zalesne, who has worked at the Justice Department and the Democratic National Committee; Jacque Patterson, president of the D.C. State Board of Education; and Deirdre Brown, chair of the Ward 3 D.C. Democrats. Last year, primary opponent Kelly Mikel Williams received about 20 percent of the vote, while Kymone Freeman from the DC Statehood Green Party garnered 7 percent in the general election.distant second place.
Amidst the presence of National Guard troops on the streets and a president determined toexerting more federal control, the race is gaining a sense of urgency. “No one is coming to rescue us,” Zalesne stated.
Brown stated that the District requires a more powerful representative on the Hill at this time.
“The council is spending an unknown amount of money with a lobbying firm,” she said, referring to the council’sstrategy this monthto have a lobbyist in the halls of Congress. “Well, we have a lobbyist. That’s the delegate.”
Some House Democrats are aligning with Republicans in an effort tooverride local crime laws, worries about 88-year-old Norton’s ability to continue have increased. There’s no turning back after Donna Brazile, her former chief of staff,penned an op-edLast week, they urged Norton to step down, stating that she is “no longer the energetic force she once was.”
Although there have been some conflicting messages, Norton has maintained that she will seek a 19th term and reiterated this to reporters last week. When asked for a statement, her office directed inquiries to her campaign, which has not responded to several requests.
It seems to be her most challenging trial since herfirst primaryIn 1990, she defeated a few rivals for the vacant position. However, could any of the present-day contenders realistically challenge Norton, who has significantly influenced the role?
She remains a well-known figure in the District of Columbia,” said Charles Wilson, chair of the D.C. Democratic Party. “Anyone running against an incumbent must convince the public why they deserve to bring about a change.
‘A lion for D.C.’
Residents are keen to prevent a national issue for Democrats: senior officials remaining in their roles longer than they should, such as President Joe Biden or former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. However, encouraging an older politician to step down is a sensitive matter, especially when it involves a civil rights advocate and Yale-trained attorney who achieved significant successes in court.women’s rights.
Norton is only the second individual to occupy the D.C. delegate role in recent times, following Walter E. Fauntroy, who held the position from 1971 to 1991. She shaped the role as it exists now and even increased its influence, encouraging leaders to grant delegates limited voting rights on the floor, known as theCommittee of the Whole.
She secured tax credits for homebuyers and businesses in D.C., assisted in guiding the city through a financial crisis during the 1990s, and has reintroduced statehood legislation in each Congress. Twice, in2020 and 2021, the statehood bill moved forward from the House.
White stated that Norton has been a “lion for D.C.,” but that level of energy has been less evident recently. Around the Capitol, she is accompanied by staff members, and she has mainly delivered prepared statements since Trump’s…30-day federal control of local law enforcementand the activation of the National Guard.
“Many of us had worries even before this election season, as you can notice she has certain limitations when you look closely,” said Cheh, highlighting Norton’s slow walk.
Some are shutting the door on Norton, even though she won’t. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.,told The Washington PostLast week, it was stated that “it has become clear that the esteemed Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton cannot run in 2026, and everyone should allow her some time to decide when to make her announcement.”
Some are hesitant. “I’ll give her the room to make her own choice, but I’ve worked with her for many years… and I believe she will do what’s correct,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
A Democratic member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, who wished to remain unidentified for open discussion, stated that Norton was still appearing.
She goes beyond what many members accomplish,” the legislator stated. “She attends every hearing, has a speech prepared. Her team is performing exceptionally well. She attends meetings that aren’t mandatory.
The field
If Norton steps down, additional candidates and more prominent figures might enter the competition, where securing the Democratic primary is essentially equivalent to victory in the general election in strongly liberal D.C. However, some claim they will remain in the race regardless of her choice.
Zalesne, who mentioned that she first encountered Norton in 1995 while she was employed in the Clinton White House, spoke about a desire to protect the place that she and approximately 700,000 other people consider their home. The nation’s capital is under extensive congressional supervision according to the Constitution, and supporters worry that federal legislators might not only let the statehood issue remain unresolved but also abolish the existing framework.home rule.
“I believe we can respect her legacy while recognizing that it’s time for a new voice and fresh energy to continue the struggle,” said Zalesne, whose campaign mentioned she has raised approximately $365,000 since starting in July. Norton has reported earning about $48,000 by June, according to federal records, although $40,000 of that came from funds she personally loaned to her campaign.
“Energy” has become the central theme for the House candidates, with many stating that D.C. requires a strong advocate for the position. Patterson, for instance, described the present situation as “a time when we need to be proactive.” This is a message they aim to connect with voters who feel disillusioned, as Bowser employs the mayor’s office to adopt a more amicable approach with Trump and Republican lawmakers in Congress.
Some analysts believe they are prepared for a lively, extensive discussion on ways to counter federal overreach, while others question whether a large number of candidates might enable Norton, the current officeholder with the highest brand recognition, to easily prevail.
I’m not sure what Eleanor will do. However, if she remains in the race, it’s typically the case that the current officeholder benefits significantly,” Cheh stated. “If there are many other candidates and Eleanor stays in, my belief is that she will gain a significant advantage from this.
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