"There's a lot of angst": Democrats' big age headache is about to become a migraine

A nationwide effort to unseat some of House Democrats' oldest members is surging as lawmakers settle in for their five-week August recess — and it is poised to accelerate even further.Why it matters: The 2026 election cycle could see dozens of competitive Democratic primary battles, which some members groan will draw money away from their party's efforts to retake control of Congress.Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) told Axios earlier this year that primary challenges to incumbents "take a lot of resources that should be used against Republicans and use [them] in primaries."The 78-year-old, who recently joined the list of older incumbents facing primary rivals, added: "That's idiotic in terms of capturing the House."Driving the news: On Wednesday morning, 26-year-old nonprofit founder Liam Elkind launched a bid against Nadler, urging the ex-House Judiciary Committee chair to retire rather than put up a fight."I appreciate his 50 years in office," Elkind told Axios, "but I'm also cognizant of the fact that when he was first elected, rent in New York was $500 a month and the president was Gerald Ford."Former Hartford, Connecticut, Mayor Luke Bronin, 46, also launched a run against Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), 77, who suffered a freeze-up on the House floor in February that his office said was due to a complex partial seizure.Bronin also framed his run in terms of generational change, saying in a launch video: "I respect people who have served in Congress for decades, but at a certain point, it's just time to let some new voices in."Data: Axios research; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosState of play: Of the House Democrats who will be at least 70 years old by Election Day 2026, nearly a dozen are already facing primary challengers with months to go before the first congressional filing deadlines.Several younger Democrats have also launched bids in districts where the longtime incumbents haven't said if they're running — including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).A House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity predicted dozens more of their colleagues could end up facing primary challenges."There's a lot of angst out there and people need to direct it somewhere, and primaries are one of the places that will be directed," they said.What they're saying: Primary insurgents who spoke to Axios ranged from leaning into the age issue to insisting it is immaterial to their campaigns.Victoria Doyle, 60, a lawyer challenging Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), 77, said age is a "huge factor" in her run and described herself as a "David Hogg Democrat," telling Axios, "We have too many congresspeople past retirement age who are not meeting the moment."Danny Glover, 37, an activist running for the seat held by Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), 78, told Axios: "I think age is important in the election, and I think we need to stop tiptoeing around age."But Hartzell Gray, a 33-year-old challenging Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), 80, said he is "not running because of the age of anyone," pitching himself instead as the more progressive candidate.What to watch: "My gut is that we see more primary challengers jumping in," a second House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Axios.The lawmaker added: "The Dem base is very fired up about wanting some fresh voices."Said a third: "There are a lot of young and youngish leaders at the local and state level who will understandably see where the energy and appetite is within the primary electorate and fear that 'waiting their turn' will result in someone else running and winning instead of them."Hogg said in a statement that his PAC, Leaders We Deserve, is recruiting "capable young leaders ... many of whom will be launching their campaigns throughout the summer and through the end of the year."By the numbers: Some primary insurgents are proving highly formidable, with Bronin announcing he raised more than $500,000 in just 24 hours after launching his campaign.That's double the $250,000 that Larson raised in the first six months of 2025, according to FEC filings.Bronin, in a statement, called the fundraising figure a "powerful sign that people are ready for change."Several lawmakers predicted to Axios that older members with health challenges or meager campaign funds may ultimately follow the lead of Reps. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and opt to retire.Yes, but: The strength of incumbency is still substantial, and some challengers are facing headwinds from grassroots activists who have led the charge to unseat incumbents and upend the political establishment.Elkind, for instance, has been criticized online by allies of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as an insufficiently left-wing alternative to the progressive Nadler.Elkind signaled he is not worried, telling Axios he is a "strong progressive" but is not focused on "winning the internet.""My focus is about serving the community," he said. "I'm not interested in retweets."Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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