The issue of Joe Biden’s age toppled his reelection bid and the Democratic Party faced a drubbing as a result. But as many as four Senate Democrats over the age of 75 are either planning to — or are weighing — a run for reelection next year.
The lineup includes Massachusetts’ Ed Markey (age 78) and Rhode Island’s Jack Reed (age 75), who have said they plan to run for another six-year term. New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen (age 78) and Illinois’ Dick Durbin (age 80) have not yet announced their plans.
In a chamber where the median age at the start of the term was approximately 64 years old, age is still a touchy subject, to say the least. What’s more, these lawmakers’ bids would come at a time when the party is openly trying to rebuild after losing the House, Senate and White House last year and there’s been a push for new ideas and messengers. In the House, a series of younger Democrats sought to topple older committee leadership earlier this year.