Old Friends
From the old friends department. Commentary is talking about 78-year old Cong. Al Green running in the 18th congressional district in the March 3, 2026, Democratic Party primary election. This is the online headline from Chron columnist Joy Sewing’s, err, column today:
This Congressional race highlights Houston’s need for a new generation of leadership
Here is a good chunk of the Sewing column:
Even though redistricting effectively dismantles the congressional seat long held by 78-year-old Al Green, he’s not done yet. Green will be on the ballot for District 18 in the March Democratic primary, entering the congressional race as veteran Democrats in their 70s and 80s face growing pressure to make room for the next generation.
And, frankly, they should.
While Americans are living longer with a life expectancy of around 79, we’re still a relatively young country. According to the census, the U.S. median age is 39 years old. In Texas, it’s 36 and in Houston it’s 34. Compare that to Congress, which has an average age of 58 in the House and 64 in the Senate. President Trump, now 79, and Biden, who he left office at 82, are among the oldest presidents in U.S. history.
It would be easy to blame younger folks. Americans under 30 are less likely to vote, and their apathy is real. Ask them. But that’s only part of the story.
Our society has become more of a gerontocracy for the same old reasons. Career politicians enjoy the powerful advantages of name recognition, deep donor support and a system that favors incumbency. These perks encourage lawmakers to stay in office well past the traditional retirement age. Instead of cultivating and nurturing the next generation, they literally stay in office until they physically can’t, or until they die.
Ego is also a powerful drug, and once power is acquired, preservation becomes a priority.
Menefee has faced criticism for his non-traditional campaign ads. The first paid homage to “MTV Cribs,” the hit TV show that showcased the homes of celebrities. His latest, which debuts today, is a riff on the iconic intro to the 1990s Fox sitcom, “Martin.”
“We are speaking to the millennials, to baby boomers, Gen X,” Menefee said. “We’re doing everything we can to run a non-traditional political campaign that brings those people in and exposes them to my record and tells them who I am.”
People are ready for a new generation of leadership, but not just someone younger for the sake of age. Youth paired with experience and vision is a recipe for change. Right now, that synergy is what District 18 needs.
I reached out to both Green and Edwards for comment, but did not hear back before deadline.
Here is the entire column: Texas District 18 election exposes America’s age divide.
Folks know that Commentary is 73. I don’t have a problem with Sewing bringing up the age thing. Joe Biden ended up being too old for the gig. Donald Trump falls asleep in front of the cameras. I would hope that Sewing amplifies the age thing between Cong. Green and whoever wins the January 31 CD 18 special runoff. Remember, Sheila Jackson Lee was 74 when she left us, and Sylvester Turner was 70. Age matters in my book.
Even though I live in CD 18, I won’t get to vote in the redrawn CD 18 in March. I feel ripped off, so to speak.
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The featured photo is a very cool gift I received for Christmas.