Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) announced on Monday that she will not seek re-election. “She will not seek re-election to a new term as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District concluding a remarkable, barrier-breaking career spanning over 50 years in public service to the State of New Jersey and the nation,” a press release read. “I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by loved ones who have always valued the importance of serving the public, and I have never taken that opportunity to serve for granted. I truly believe that ‘to whom much is given, much is required’ and, as such, I have always prioritized the people I represent above any personal or professional gain,” the 80-year-old House Democrat said. “The values and principles instilled in my brothers and me at a young age from our parents, John and Marie Watson, have been a guiding light on this incredible journey in public service and they are the very same ideals that inform my decision now. I made this decision with tremendous thought and reflection, and through many personal conversations with my husband Bill and my family. I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family who have graciously sacrificed by my side when I placed serving our community above all else and I can truly say, I am at peace with my decision,” she continued. “I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities. I have always stood on the frontlines in the fight for principled progressive policies and my work has centered on the belief that there must be a floor below which we should never allow any child, family, or person to fall,” Watson Coleman said on X. “I believe in giving voice to truth, speaking truth to power, and I believe as a consequence of that, we have been able to effect real results that will be felt in communities across America for generations. I also believe now is the time to pass the torch to the next leader who will continue leading this charge,” she added. Today, I'm announcing that I will not seek reelection next year. I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities. I have always stood on the frontlines in the… pic.twitter.com/wqpT3C8dIO — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) November 10, 2025 The Hill shared: A former majority leader of the New Jersey General Assembly, Watson Coleman became the first African American woman to represent her state in Congress upon taking office in 2015. An executive board member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Watson Coleman is on the Appropriations and Budget committees. In her statement, Watson Coleman touted her efforts “to build an economy for all, reform our criminal justice system, achieve health equity, and eliminate poverty.” She also pushed for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict that “paves the way for peace, prosperity, and dignity” for both sides. Multiple individuals announced their candidacies to replace Watson Coleman shortly after her retirement announcement. Watson Coleman’s district leans heavily Democratic, as the retiring representative won re-election in 2024 by 25 points. EXODUS GROWS: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, 80,  says she won’t seek re-election after serving in Congress since 2015. She beat her Republican challenger 61% to 36% in 2024. pic.twitter.com/vmRIw04OxD — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 10, 2025 More from New Jersey Globe: Two candidates are definitely in: East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen and Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson (D-Franklin) both announced campaigns shortly after Watson Coleman said she’d retire. Beyond them, at the top of the list are two local state legislators, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton). The 61-year-old Zwicker has run for the district once before, losing a Democratic primary to Watson Coleman in 2014 (his legislative career began the next year); the 54-year-old Reynolds-Jackson represents the Trenton-based legislative district Watson Coleman once held. Other possible Democratic contenders include Assemblywoman Linda Carter (D-Plainfield), Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (D-Hamilton), Middlesex County Commissioner Shanti Narra (D-North Brunswick), Mercer County Commissioner Samuel Frisby (D-Trenton), Middlesex County Surrogate Claribel Cortes, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, Ewing Councilwoman Sarah Steward (a former staffer for Rush Holt, Watson Coleman’s predecessor), Millstone Mayor Ray Heck (whose town is among the state’s smallest municipalities at population 448), and James Gee, a Democratic strategist who was Watson Coleman’s longtime chief of staff. It’s also possible that some candidates in the packed Democratic primary for the neighboring 7th congressional district, a swing district held by Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), could make a leap over in the neighboring 12th district; among them is physician Tina Shah, who moved from the 12th district to the 7th earlier this year. Sue Altman, the Democratic nominee for the 7th district in 2024 who’s now Senator Andy Kim’s state director, could look at running as well. A less-well-known Democrat, fitness studio owner Kyle Little, was already running for the 12th district even before Watson Coleman announced her retirement.