A new book detailing former President Joe Biden’s alleged cognitive decline has cast fresh scrutiny on what critics describe as a troubling pattern of gerontocracy within the Democratic Party. As revelations from the exposé by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson ripple through Washington, the party finds itself grappling with an age-old issue literally.
Six Democratic lawmakers, all in their 70s or older, have died in the past year, highlighting not only the human cost but also a political one. Just last week, House Republicans narrowly passed a sweeping tax and spending bill that Democrats argue will strip healthcare from over eight million Americans. With three seats left vacant due to recent deaths, Democrats lacked the numbers to mount a strong opposition.
One of the most notable losses was Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who passed away at 75 after a battle with cancer. Connolly had recently been chosen to lead the House Oversight Committee, favored for his experience over 35-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s dynamism and digital reach. Critics argue this preference for seniority has become a liability.
The Democratic Party’s entrenched seniority system prioritizes longevity over innovation, making it difficult for younger leaders to rise. Over half of the Democrats leading House committees are over 70, compared to a younger Republican leadership average.
This isn’t just a legislative issue. The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision to remain on the bench during Obama’s presidency ultimately leading to a Trump-appointed successor still haunts progressives.
Efforts to shift the tide have begun. David Hogg, a 25-year-old gun control advocate, was elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, only to be publicly dismissed by party elder James Carville, 80.
With Biden’s recent prostate cancer diagnosis and growing concerns about his ability to lead at 82, many Democrats believe it’s time for a generational reset. As political commentator Molly Jong-Fast noted, if Democrats claim democracy is at stake, “they need to act like it” and that means choosing leaders not just by tenure, but by their ability to connect, inspire, and fight effectively in the modern political arena.
