Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election In 2026, Concluding A Lifetime Of Public Service Spanning Five Decades In New Jersey & Washington

Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, the veteran Democratic congresswoman from New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District and a trailblazer in state and national politics, announced Monday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of one of the most distinguished political careers in New Jersey history. 

A Trailblazing Career In Public Service;

     Watson Coleman’s public career began more than fifty years ago, defined by a steadfast commitment to equality, fairness, and community service. Her record includes some of the most significant firsts in state history:

• New Jersey Department of Transportation; Began her public career in the 1970s within the state Department of Transportation, where she worked in community and human relations programs.
• New Jersey Democratic State Committee; Elected Chair in 2002, she became the first African American woman to lead a major political party organization in New Jersey.
• New Jersey General Assembly (1998 – 2015); Served 17 years representing Mercer County. During her tenure, she became Majority Leader (2006 – 2009) and Assistant Majority Leader, and she sponsored landmark legislation on criminal justice reform, education, and social equality.
• U.S. House of Representatives (2015 – present); Elected in 2014 as the first Black woman from New Jersey ever to serve in Congress, representing the 12th Congressional District. She currently serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and the Homeland Security Committee, where she has advocated for working families, economic justice, and civil rights.

“Time To Pass The Torch”

     In her announcement, Watson Coleman said her decision came after “tremendous thought and reflection, together with my family who have graciously sacrificed by my side.” She emphasized that her choice was not based on health or political challenges but a belief that “it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.”

     Watson Coleman, now 80, expressed gratitude to her constituents and said she remains “committed to fighting for justice and equality until the very last day of my term.”

Legislative Legacy And Lasting Impact;

     Throughout her decades in office, Watson Coleman built a reputation as a principled and compassionate leader. Her legislative priorities have focused on criminal justice reform, affordable healthcare, paid family leave, environmental justice, and education funding. She was a leading voice in efforts to protect voting rights and combat discrimination in housing and employment.

     Colleagues across party lines praised her as a trailblazer. “Bonnie Watson Coleman has been a tireless advocate for the people of New Jersey,” said one member of the state’s congressional delegation. “Her voice has always stood for fairness, decency, and integrity.”

The Political Road Ahead;

     Watson Coleman’s departure opens a rare opportunity in the solidly Democratic 12th District, which spans Trenton, Princeton, and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties. The seat is expected to draw a crowded field of Democratic contenders ahead of the 2026 primary.

     Despite the anticipated competition, state political observers note that the congresswoman’s influence will likely shape the selection of her successor. “Anyone running for that seat will be standing on her shoulders,” said one longtime New Jersey Democratic strategist.

A Legacy Cemented;

     Bonnie Watson Coleman will continue to serve through the end of the 119th Congress before retiring in early 2027. As she closes her career, she leaves behind a record of public service that has touched virtually every level of government in the Garden State.

     “I am at peace with my decision,” she said in her statement. “I know that I’ve done my part to make New Jersey, and our nation, a better place for generations to come.”

Editor’s Note:

This article is based on verified information from Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman’s official statement released by her congressional office on November 11, 2025, and supporting coverage from The Associated Press, New Jersey Globe, NJ Senate Democrats, and Wikipedia for historical record. Quotations and background have been fact-checked as of November 12, 2025.

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