Hoyer will not seek reelection and will retire at the end of his current term. After nearly 60 years in public office, the 86-year-old congressman stated he wanted to “pass the baton” while still in good health.
Multiple sources reported Wednesday evening that Maryland 5th District Rep. Steny Hoyer will be retiring from the House.
The Washington Post first reported that in a sit-down interview, 86-year-old Hoyer said he reached the decision over the holidays with his family. He stated that he wanted to pass “the baton” while still in good health.
Washington Post reporter Paul Kane told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli that Hoyer is still “pretty darn sharp,” though the longtime Maryland Democrat suffered a stoke in August 2024.
“He didn’t want to be one of those people who stuck around and ended up being pushed around in a wheelchair or getting too forgetful. There’s been a lot of those in recent years, Democrats and Republicans alike in Congress,” Kane said.
Hoyer is the third-longest serving member of the House of Representatives, having held his seat since 1982.
“I think that Steny Hoyer has basically come to a peaceful point in his life where he has decided he accomplished everything he possibly could have, and that now is the time to finally step away from politics after close to 60 years,” WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller said.
Hoyer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi both worked together for the same lawmaker when they first got to Congress decades ago. The two rose through the ranks together, with Hoyer serving as the No. 2 leader among House Democrats for many years.
He served as House Majority Leader when Pelosi became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. While they had a longtime rivalry, they also had a healthy respect for each other.
Hoyer has acknowledged that he would have liked to have become House Speaker, but it was not meant to be.
He stepped down from his role as House Majority Leader in 2022, endorsing Hakeem Jeffries as his successor. Hoyer continued his role as a Maryland representative and member of the House Appropriations Committee.
The veteran lawmaker has still had a major impact on Maryland politics in recent years. He provided an early endorsement to Wes Moore, who now serves as governor and is seen as a rising star within the Democratic Party. He also endorsed Angela Alsobrooks, who is now Maryland’s junior U.S. senator.
Hoyer’s departure could lead to a shake-up on the Prince George’s County Council, setting off a contested primary. In Prince George’s County, at least one member of the county council and one state delegate were waiting to see what Hoyer decides to do, with the intention of jumping in if the longtime incumbent decides to retire.
“It’s going to cause a ripple effect,” Kane said. “You’ll probably end up with people in small city councils who end up getting seats for the first time in their life in politics because of the ripple effect that this creates throughout the region.”
In terms of the 5th District race, Miller said it will very likely be a competitive race with many candidates vying for the seat.
“I think it’s just going to be a very, very difficult position to fill. Obviously, you have a change in the generations moving forward, but Steny Hoyer has just had a profound impact on Maryland politics,” Miller said.
While he’s leaving Congress after a storied political career, Hoyer seems content with all he has accomplished.
A spokeswoman for Hoyer only told WTOP that he will speak on the House floor at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
WTOP’s Mitchell Miller contributed to this report.
Ciara Wells
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