Florida Democrat Wilson to Retire at 83, Adding to Wave of Exits

Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson will retire after 15 years in Congress, she announced Friday, making her the latest in a string of octogenarian House members heading for the exits as the party increasingly prioritizes generational change.

Wilson, who represents a southern Florida district, is 83 years old. She’s been absent from more than a quarter of recorded votes during the 119th Congress, according to CSPAN data. Wilson’s office has attributed her recent absences to a surgery on her left eye.

“I decided to not seek reelection because it’s time,” Wilson said in a video posted Friday by the Miami Herald. “It has been the joy of my life, absolute honor, to serve the people of South Florida.”

Perhaps best known for wearing bedazzled hats on the House floor and campaign trail, Wilson serves on the Education and Transportation committees. She previously served in the Florida legislature.

Some other 80-something House Democrats like Reps. Steny Hoyer (Md.) and Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, have opted against running for reelection this year. Others, including Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.), 87, the top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, are running for re-election.