Democrats are at a crossroads this election when it comes to aging leadership, with some wanting to usurp Rep. Maxine Waters of California as she nears 90 years of age.
With the midterms just weeks away, Politico published an article on Wednesday detailing how Democratic Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, 54, is preparing to challenge Waters for chair of the House Financial Services Committee if Democrats flip the lower chamber.
The outlet described it as a choice between shoving “aside one of the most prominent Black progressives in their party in favor of a middle-aged white guy with similar policy views, or potentially hand one of the most powerful chairmanships in Congress back to a nearly 90-year-old as their base clamors for generational change.”
The committee oversees powerful sectors including housing, banking, cryptocurrency, and the Federal Reserve.
Waters, 88, would be the oldest House Financial Services Committee chair in American history if Democrats regain control and allow her to take over.
This outcome would likely anger the base, with voters wanting term limits and age restrictions to avoid stagnant leadership.
It would also fuel the narrative that the Democratic Party is experiencing a leadership crisis, especially after former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and physical limitations led him to drop out of the 2024 race.
