Longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) says he is definitely running in 2022, trying to tamp down rumors he is considering retirement.
“Absolutely,” Nadler told CNN when asked about the rumors on Friday.
Nadler, 74, has been in office since 1992.
He chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
New York Post recently reported, citing a mix of anonymous and named sources, that Nadler could retire instead of running for another two-year term.
One of the reasons posited was Nadler’s health struggles.
“It’s not the first I’m hearing about it,” Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told the paper. “Does he really want to be in the minority next year? How much more can he get done?”
Democrats currently hold eight more seats than Republicans in the lower chamber but many political observers believe the GOP will be able to flip the House in the upcoming midterms.
Democrats, though, have expressed confidence in maintaining their majority in both the upper and lower chambers.
Nadler previously took to Twitter to say he was running for re-election, calling the Post story “poorly sourced, fact-free nonsense.”
Nadler won the 2020 election with about 75 percent of the votes. He represents New York’s 10th Congressional District.
Nadler has not formally filed for re-election. Several candidates are vying for the seat, including three Democrats.
Ashmi Sheth, one of them, says on her campaign website she has “the experience to bring new progressive ideas to Congress.” Another, Brian Robinson, says he believes that “a true leader is one who serves others” and wants to try to address “Washington D.C.’s selfish dysfunctionality” as a moderate Democrat.
Some 19 House Democrats are not seeking re-election to their seat next year. Eleven are retiring while eight others are seeking other offices, primarily Senate seats.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who has been in office for 36 years, announced his retirement earlier this week.
“It’s been a great run, but it’s time to pass the torch,” DeFazio said during a press conference from his office in Washington, D.C., citing health concerns and a desire to spend time with family.
Others retiring include Reps. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas).
Republicans hope the open seats will be easier to win than battling against incumbents.
Eleven House Republicans are either retiring or vying for another office.
Five Republican senators have announced plans to retire so far, compared to one Democrat.
Scottie Barnes contributed to this report.
Pezou : Nadler ‘Absolutely’ Running for Another Term in 2022