Democratic Trend: Last 8 House Members to Die in Office Were All Democrats

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In the realm of federal politics, the power dynamic is clear: seniority reigns supreme. Top committee roles are not awarded based on merit but rather on how long one can hold onto their seat. The key to becoming a significant player in Congress is to keep getting reelected and avoid any untimely fate.

Recent statistics highlight that in 2024, an impressive 97% of congressional incumbents who sought reelection managed to keep their seats. The advantages of incumbency make this an almost guaranteed success. However, staying alive is a different story.

Just three days ago, Rep. Gerry Connolly from Virginia succumbed to cancer at the age of 75. He became the third congressman to pass away while in office since January 2025. Notably, all three were Democrats.

Since April 2024, a total of six congressmen have died while serving, and each one was a Democrat. In fact, if you trace back to 2022, the last eight congressional deaths in office have all been Democrats. It seems the halls of Congress are filled with aging members, and age catches up with everyone eventually.

The current Congress is not just aging; it’s one of the oldest in history. It ranks as the third oldest since the founding of the United States, with an average member age of 58.9 years. NBC News has analyzed congressional membership and found that this session is 79 days older than its predecessor.

Given these trends, it seems likely that the next legislator to pass away in office might also be a Democrat. Even after recent losses, the majority of House members over 80 remain Democrats. This trend is a testament to the influence of senior members within the Democratic Party.

This aging dynamic has implications for legislative power. In a closely divided Congress, every vote is crucial. Recently, a reconciliation bill passed by a single vote, with two Republicans crossing party lines.

Branko Marcetic from Jacobin pointed out that the absence of three deceased Democrats made the vote possible. Ironically, the Democrats’ insistence on maintaining their positions until death contributed to their own legislative challenges. This situation underscores a reluctance to relinquish power.

Politico has noted how the Democrats’ reliance on senior members has placed them at a disadvantage. Even after the removal of some septuagenarians from key committee roles, the upcoming Congress will feature numerous Democrats over the age of 70. This includes two octogenarians, such as Maxine Waters, who will hold significant committee influence.

In contrast, Republicans have fewer senior members in top roles. The GOP imposes term limits on committee leaders, promoting a younger leadership. This difference highlights the Democrats’ adherence to seniority as the basis of power.

The Senate provides a similar picture, with only three of the 15 oldest senators being Republicans. The remaining are seasoned Democrats like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The Democratic power base is undoubtedly aging.

Even left-leaning publications like The Nation are calling for change. They point out the lack of a unified Democratic ideology, which results in a focus on maintaining personal power. Without a larger vision, careerism becomes the default goal.

As the release of the next “Jurassic Park” movie approaches, the metaphor of dinosaurs in D.C. becomes more fitting. The aging leadership continues to face challenges, particularly from the rising influence of MAGA. This shift marks the Bidenization of the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party, with its younger leadership, is poised for a new era. The dinosaurs of the Democratic establishment are slowly being replaced. This transformation signals a shift in the political landscape.