{"id":2508839,"date":"2025-11-10T15:01:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrat-bonnie-watson-coleman-to-retire-after-decadelong-stint-in-congress\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T20:02:43","slug":"house-democrat-bonnie-watson-coleman-to-retire-after-decadelong-stint-in-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrat-bonnie-watson-coleman-to-retire-after-decadelong-stint-in-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"House Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman to retire after decadelong stint in Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhouse-democrat-bonnie-watson-coleman-to-retire-after-decadelong-stint-in-congress%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2508839&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>House Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman,a New Jersey congresswoman,announced she will retire at the end of her current term after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives as 2015. At age 80, she stated her decision is to &#8220;pass the torch to the next leader.&#8221; Watson Coleman was the first Black woman elected to the House from New Jersey and has been a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">strong advocate<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fda-approves-johnson-johnson-covid-vaccine\/\" title=\"FDA approves Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID vaccine\">progressive policies<\/a>, focusing on economic fairness, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White ... Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">criminal justice reform<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-has-signed-40-executive-orders-and-actions-since-taking-office\/\" title=\"Biden has signed 40 executive orders and actions since taking office\">health equity<\/a>, and poverty elimination. She served on the Appropriations and Budget committees and supported key legislation including Medicare for All. Respected by colleagues, she <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >received public praise<\/a> from fellow lawmakers such as Senator Andy Kim and Representative Jim Clyburn. watson Coleman did not endorse a successor and emphasized that her retirement decision was made thoughtfully with her family.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">House Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman to retire after decadelong stint in Congress<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2397823\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-democrats\">Bonnie Watson Coleman<\/a> (D-NJ) will retire from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/House-of-Representatives\/\">House <\/a>at the end of her term after more than 10 years in the chamber.<\/p>\n<p>The 80-year-old <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">New Jersey<\/a> congresswoman, who has served in the House since 2015, said her retirement is an effort &ldquo;to pass the torch to the next leader.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3881227\/johnson-swear-in-grijalva-50-days\/\">Johnson to swear in Grijalva after nearly 50 days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3881137\/mike-johnson-tells-house-members-back-to-washington-travel-delays\/\">Mike Johnson tells sidelined House members to get back to Washington regardless of travel delays<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3880799\/jamie-raskin-urges-trump-withhold-clemency-ghislaine-maxwell\/\">Raskin urges Trump to withhold &#8216;any form of clemency&#8217; from Ghislaine Maxwell<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I believe in giving voice to truth, speaking truth to power, and I believe as a consequence of that, we have been able to effect real results that will be felt in communities across America for generations. I also believe now is the time to pass the torch to the next leader who will continue leading this charge,&rdquo; she said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Watson Coleman became the first black woman from New Jersey elected to the House when she won in 2015. Her seat was previously held by former longtime Democratic Rep. Rush Holt Jr., who left the House after losing his bid to be the Democratic nominee for the Senate to Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in 2013.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities. I have always stood on the frontlines in the fight for principled progressive policies and my work has centered on the belief that there must be a floor below which we should never allow any child, family, or person to fall,&rdquo; Watson Coleman said.<\/p>\n<p>A member of the House Appropriations and Budget committees, Watson Coleman pointed to her efforts to &ldquo;build an economy for all, reform our criminal justice system, achieve health equity, and eliminate poverty&rdquo; in her statement. She has bolstered progressive legislation in the House throughout her career, co-sponsoring the House&rsquo;s Medicare for All Act and introducing the Earned Income Tax Credit Modernization Act in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Watson Coleman was also one of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3407688\/dhs-signals-more-arrests-coming-after-lawmakers-stormed-ice-prison\/\">several New Jersey lawmakers<\/a> to protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>Her district is in a Democratic stronghold in central New Jersey and includes Trenton, Princeton, and East Brunswick.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) posted <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyKimNJ\/status\/1987921180418883840?s=20\">on X<\/a> after Watson Coleman announced her retirement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Bonnie is a fighter. She was one of the first people who took me under her wing when I came to the House and showed me what it means to stand up for people who need a voice. What an extraordinary career in public service for NJ and the country,&rdquo; Kim said.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) also commented on Watson Coleman&rsquo;s retirement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It has been a great privilege and blessed experience to serve with Bonnie Watson Coleman in the United States House of Representatives. It has also been an honor to have been tutored by her and to have partnered with her in our efforts to make the many things that make this country great accessible and affordable to all. Bonnie has been a real workhorse on behalf of her constituents and she will be sorely missed by them and by us, her colleagues and friends,&rdquo; Clyburn said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3453608\/lamonica-mciver-pleads-not-guilty-assault-charges\/\">LAMONICA MCIVER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ASSAULT CHARGES OVER VISIT TO NEWARK ICE FACILITY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Watson Coleman did not endorse anyone to replace her in the 2026 midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I made this decision with tremendous thought and reflection, and through many personal conversations with my husband Bill and my family. I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family who have graciously sacrificed by my side when I placed serving our community above all else and I can truly say, I am at peace with my decision,&rdquo; Watson Coleman said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NJ Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman to retire after 10+ years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2508840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/e63abbf3d9acd8664b62cbae9d6867f8.jpg?w=620","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[66814,4402,33696,7620],"class_list":["post-2508839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bonnie-watson-coleman","tag-congress","tag-house-democrat","tag-retirement"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/e63abbf3d9acd8664b62cbae9d6867f8.jpg?w=620","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2508839"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2508843,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508839\/revisions\/2508843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2508840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2508839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2508839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2508839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}