This guy needs to retire!
Veteran Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina announced Thursday that he plans to run for yet another term in Congress — even as questions about aging leadership continue to swirl around Washington.
The 85-year-old Democrat confirmed he will file the paperwork necessary to seek the Democratic nomination, putting him on track to pursue an 18th two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Speaking at an event in Columbia, South Carolina, Clyburn told supporters he has no intention of stepping aside.
“In a few minutes, I’m going to sign the paperwork required to qualify for the Democratic nomination and run again,” Clyburn said.
If successful, the longtime lawmaker would extend a political career that has already lasted more than three decades in Congress.
Debate Over Aging Leaders In Washington
Clyburn’s announcement comes as voters increasingly question the age of many longtime politicians in Washington.
The issue gained national attention after serious concerns about former President Joe Biden’s physical and mental stamina forced him to abandon his 2024 re-election campaign.
Those concerns sparked a broader conversation about whether older politicians should step aside for a new generation of leaders.
Despite that debate, Clyburn dismissed any concerns about his ability to continue serving.
With a bit of humor, the congressman joked that he is about to celebrate the “47th anniversary of my 39th birthday.”
“If I weren’t up to the job, I wouldn’t run,” Clyburn told the crowd. “My health has been good.”
Other Senior Lawmakers Are Stepping Down
While Clyburn is preparing for another campaign, several longtime Democrats in Washington have decided it is time to retire.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is 85, and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 86, have both announced they will step away from Congress at the end of 2026 rather than seek re-election.
In total, nearly a dozen House Democrats in their 70s and 80s are expected to retire when the current Congress concludes.
Still, many aging lawmakers remain in office.
Republican Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky, who is 88, and Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California, 87, are both seeking another term.
A Powerful Democratic Kingmaker
Clyburn has long been considered one of the most powerful political figures in the Democratic Party, particularly in the South.
He served nearly two decades as House Majority Whip, the third-highest leadership position among House Democrats.
Over the years, Clyburn has also gained a reputation as a political kingmaker, particularly when it comes to presidential politics.
That influence stems largely from South Carolina’s key role in the Democratic presidential primary calendar, where early victories can determine the direction of the race.
The Endorsement That Changed the 2020 Election
Clyburn played a pivotal role in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
At the time, Joe Biden’s campaign appeared to be struggling after disappointing early results in Iowa and New Hampshire.
But Clyburn’s endorsement ahead of the South Carolina primary helped dramatically shift momentum.
Biden went on to win the state by a landslide, reviving his campaign and setting him on the path to securing the Democratic nomination — and ultimately the presidency.
No Plans To Step Aside
Now, more than 30 years after first arriving in Washington, Clyburn is signaling he is not ready to leave the political stage.
While many of his longtime colleagues are retiring, the South Carolina Democrat is preparing for yet another campaign — proving that one of the Democratic Party’s most influential figures still intends to play a major role in Washington politics.
