Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey has announced she will not seek re-election, becoming the latest senior Democrat to step away from Congress as generational change continues to reshape Capitol Hill.
The 80-year-old lawmaker, who has represented New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District since 2015, shared the decision in a public statement, emphasizing both pride in her record and commitment to finishing her term strong.
“I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent,” Coleman said. “I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities.” She added that while she won’t be running again, she plans to serve her constituents “straight through to the last day” of her term.
Before entering Congress, Coleman spent nearly two decades as a state legislator in New Jersey, building a long career centered on progressive policy and advocacy. She was last re-elected in 2024, winning decisively with more than 61% of the vote. Given the district’s strong Democratic lean, Republicans are widely seen as unlikely to flip the seat in the upcoming race.
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