Senate Democrats buzz about potential retirements

[RandySF]

Four Senate Democrats opted against reelection bids next year. Could there be more? There’s some buzz in the Democratic Caucus about two progressive senators’ futures — and they offered two different answers when asked about their future plans.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., 68, who won his seat in 2008, told Semafor that he’s still weighing whether to run and expects to make an announcement in the second quarter, which means within the next month.

Then there’s Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., 78, who said last year that he’s running and defended his decision. He dismissed chatter that he might be reconsidering. “I’ve already announced,” he told Semafor.

Both senators are steadily climbing the seniority ranks: Markey is the ranking member on the Small Business Committee and Merkley is the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, and both have upward opportunities if they serve an additional term.



https://www.semafor.com/article/05/27/2025/democrats-buzz-about-potential-retirements

[calimary]

1. Merkley's one of mine.

He should stick around for just one more term. Sixty-eight doesn’t seem so old to 72-year-old me anymore.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Markey and Merkley are two of the best progressives in the senate

However, it is fair to have an honest conversation about whether they should run, or if there is a new face who can be just as effective.

[agingdem]

3. the problem with the old guard taking up permanent residence

Last edited Thu May 29, 2025, 11:25 AM - Edit history (1)

in the Senate is that once they retire they leave a void..younger hopefuls are hesitant to throw their hats in the ring because aging senators have name recognition and they don't ... ...if we've learned only one hard truth from the 2024 disaster it should be this: if an aging Democratic senator intends to retire at the end of this session he/she must announce now before the 2026 midterms/2028 general election...time for potential candidates to allow their constituents to do their due diligence (town halls) before the primaries..

as an oldie myself (76) I have no problem with thanking Dick Durbin for his service and saying goodbye...if only Chuck Schumer took a page out of Nancy Pelosi's playbook...