A longstanding member of the Democratic Party’s old guard is retiring, according to a new interview at The New York Times. His retirement marks the end of over three decades in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jerry Nadler’s decision also comes amid a broader generational shift within Democratic leadership, following his December 2024 decision to step down from his post as Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, a move that paved the way for Representative Jamie Raskin to assume the role.
His reason? Part of it has to do with Joe Biden.
“Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Nadler said.
According to the Times’ piece, he added that a younger generation “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”
Nadler represents the “Old Guard” of the party, which has tried to fight off insurgency within its own ranks as more vocal progressives attempt to push the Democrats to their most extreme positions, a move supported by the most vocal parts of the party’s base.
However, as those older Democrats continue to fight that battle, they find themselves on the losing side. Nadler’s retirement is opens up a seat in one of the bluest parts of the country—the heart of Manhattan. As New York City wrestles with a potential full-tilt socialist as its next mayor, an election to replace the retiring Nadler will renew the focus on whether or not the party is moving too far left.
Despite his role in slowing the spread of the more rabid progressivism in his party, his leadership made him a hero to progressives but also a lightning rod for conservatives, who accused him of weaponizing the impeachment process for partisan ends. Republicans repeatedly sparred with Nadler during heated Judiciary hearings, pointing to what they saw as his overreach and obsession with bringing down Trump.
