The world has watched Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, 83, freeze during speeches and take many falls in public—all while some of our most beloved Black politicians such Rep. Al Green, 78, Rep. Bennie Thompson, 77, and Rep. Maxine Waters, 87, are still standing tall into their elder years, fighting against President Donald Trump and his Republican allies.
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In the face of an administration dead set on undoing the progress of the Civil Rights Movement, the reality is that these Black congressional leaders know Black Americas need them in office. And perhaps the most pressing concern is without their presence, the Democratic party would be in deep trouble.
The 2026 midterm elections are inching closer and closer, and seasoned Black leaders continue to play a key role in ensuring the seniority balance in Congress. Now, we’re taking a close look into the lives and careers of our elder statesmen and women, who are still holding it down without so much of a stumble.
Jim Clyburn, 84
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn is 84 years old and remains an integral Democratic voice in the deep south. On top of him having great influence in other states– such as the ongoing mayoral election in New York City– Clyburn has been working to counter the Republican redistricting plan designed to give them a leg up in the 2026 midterms, Post and Courier reported.
Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88
In Washington D.C., Delegate to the House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, has been facing pressure to step down. She’s been serving in her role for 18 terms and said she’ll be seeking reelection in next year’s midterms, according to Axios reported.
Perhaps the main reason Norton feels her job isn’t quite done yet is because what is really at stake with the 2026 midterms. Democrats will have the opportunity to win the majority back from Republicans, who have been criticized for blindly voting in favor of the Trump administration.
Al Green, 78
When Texas Rep. Al Green waved his cane at President Trump during his first Congressional address, many praised him for doing a lot more to disrupt the administration than other Democrats in office. But even before that, the 78-year-old has criticized Republicans and Trump, even moving to formally impeach him in 2019.
Bennie Thompson, 77
After the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1, Rep. Bennie Thompson spoke out against the issues in Congress. The 77-year-old predicted there will be “pain” for everyday Americans. “Our citizens shouldn’t be confronted with, ‘Do I spend my money to go to the doctor, or do I have to pay rent or buy food?’ Well, we made health care affordable with the Affordable Care Act,” he said. “If we lose that, then many of those families who for the last five years have enjoyed health care before, we are a better country than that.”
Maxine Waters, 87
At 87 years old, California Rep. Maxine Waters is still a force to be reckoned with. Her quick tongue and constant clap backs have resulted in several memes about her and harsh criticism over the years from the president. In the face of MAGA, Waters represents a more unapologetic and seasoned type of Congresswoman– one who most folks know not to try.
Despite Waters being the oldest woman in the House, you rarely hear anyone complaining about her mental competence. If anything, her constant bickering with the president proves she can keep up with his daily social media presence. Her track record of addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, advocating for women, children and people of color (POC) are some of the many reasons she’s been elected to Congress consistently since 1990.
Joyce Beatty, 75
Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty has served in Congress since 2013. But at 75 years old, she is an important Democratic voice in Vice President JD Vance’s home state. The second in command recently championed legislation to honor conservative podcaster, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated back in September. But when the bill reached the House of Representatives, Beatty voted against it. She wrote a letter in which she said Kirk’s worldview “stands against everything I believe in,” according to dispatch.com.
Burgess Owens, 74
It’s been over six decades since the state of Utah voted for a Democratic presidential candidate. With that, state Rep. Burgess Owens plays an important role as one of the few Democrats. He was elected to the House in 2021, and he is now 74 years old.
Emanuel Cleaver, 80
Trump has been asking Republican lawmakers in Missouri to re-draw Congressional districts in one of the most liberal cities. Specifically, Kansas City and surrounding areas are at risk of being flipped. But in turn, Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s seat is at the center of the target, KCUR reported.
As we previously reported, Republicans are on a mission in several states including Texas to re-draw district lines. They’re doing so under orders from the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterms elections.
Gwen Moore, 74
All the way in Wisconsin, Rep. Gwen Moore is standing strong against Trump and rumors of a dictatorship. “I am not exaggerating this,” Moore told WPR. “We are going the way of other sort of oligarchs and tyrannies in the world resembling them,” she continued. “This is what it looks like.”
She’s also brought awareness to natural disasters in her state, calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help. “It reminds me so much of a smaller scale Katrina,” Moore added. “People aren’t necessarily prepared for it, and they don’t have the money to respond right away.”
David Scott, 80
Rep. David Scott in Georgia has been in his seat since 2003. And like others on this list, the 80-year-old has withstood a fair share of death threats in response to his track record, proving he can stand tall against pressure and intimidation. After he supported former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, Scott found a swastika painted on the front of his office building, CNN reported.
Bonnie Watson Coleman, 80
As President Trump continues to champion the arrests and indictments of many of his enemies, N.J. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman is one of the many voices in her state speaking out. A cancer survivor, Coleman has called the arraignment of Rep. LaMonica McIver a “power grab” by the Trump administration, PBS reported.
Alma Adams, 79
At 79 years old, N.C. Rep. Alma Adams announced she is running for reelection, WBTV reported. “Yes – it’s a different time today,” Adams told the outlet. “And so, we have to have a different strategy – that’s what we are doing – Democrats are holding strong on this because we really want to make sure people are cared for.”
Frederica Wilson, 82
If it’s one thing for certain, it’s that Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson is one of the most stylish people in Congress! But not only that, but the representative is an adversary to President Trump. The duo went back and forth on Twitter in 2017, which led a slew of allegations thrown between them for the world watching. She’s 82 years old and was first elected in 2011, CNN reported.
“I believe that the president is desperate for attention and needs psychological help,” Wilson wrote in a statement after a report said Trump shared classified information with Russians in the White House, The Washington Post reported.
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