Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has announced he’s finally going to retire from his decades-long career in politics, specifically in the House of Representatives. Hoyer, 86, is planning to step down after serving in Congress since 1981. The Maryland Democrat teased he would make his announcement during a floor speech in the House on January 9, 2026.
Hoyer is a fairly well-known politician, having risen to prominence to become the second-ranking House member behind former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who is also retiring from public service this year. Hoyer serves as the representative for a district that stretches from the eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C. to the southern section of the state of Maryland.
The decision not to seek re-election was reached by Hoyer over the holiday season. Hoyer is currently the third-longest-serving member of the House. His stepping away from the position means a highly competitive Democratic primary for a deep-blue seat. The Maryland congressman has stated that he does not plan on making an early endorsement.
According to Fox News, Hoyer worked his way up the ranks rather quickly to become the number two Democrat after starting his congressional career in 1981. He then served as the majority leader after Democrats came to power following the 2006 election and once again after they regained control in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term. Hoyer is also responsible for helping former President Barack Obama pass the Affordable Care Act and other critical components of his agenda.
Many Democrats have expressed their fondness for Hoyer in light of the news of his retirement, many considering him a good friend. Lisa Bianco, a former campaign staffer for the congressman, said, “I used to joke that it was really hard to staff him because I’d run up and say, ‘Mr. Hoyer, I want to introduce you to so-and-so,’ and he’d say ‘Oh, of course I know them.'”
“He connects so well with people and it’s because it’s genuine, and it’s because he really cares about them,” she added. “He’s really invested in them, and he really is a true public servant.” Hoyer worked closely with Pelosi, serving as her deputy for twenty years. Their working relationship started back in the 1960s when they both served as congressional interns.
Many Republican politicians in the House worked with Hoyer, viewing him as easier to get along with than Pelosi. Hoyer started his career in public service as a member of the Maryland statehouse, where he served for 15 years. He recently reflected on the relationships with other Congress members that formed over the years and the bipartisan nature of many.
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“I have come to know many good, decent, patriotic members chosen by their neighbors to represent them. They come from both parties and all parts of the ideological spectrum,” he went on to say. Hoyer also issued a warning to his colleagues concerning the growing division among members in Congress, encouraging them to “examine their conscience, renew their courage,” and follow their duties as outlined in the Constitution. “Only in that way can we ensure our 250 years will be a preface to a brighter and stronger beacon in a free and principled democracy,” he concluded.
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