Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 87-year-old non-voting delegate representing Washington, D.C., was reportedly the victim of a financial scam at her home last Thursday, according to a police report and her office. The incident has reignited debate over her ability to continue serving in Congress as she faces concerns about her health and mental acuity.
Authorities say a group posing as HVAC workers entered Norton’s apartment, charged her nearly $4,400 on her credit card, and left without performing any repairs. The apparent fraud came to light only after Norton’s longtime house manager, Jacqueline Pelt, reviewed security footage and contacted police.
The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police are now investigating the case as felony fraud. According to the report, Norton is in the “early stages of dementia” and has a caretaker with power of attorney—a claim her office swiftly disputed.
“Congresswoman Norton doesn’t have a caretaker,” her spokesman said. “A longtime employee and friend serves as the house manager, residing at a separate address.” The spokesman added that Norton had believed the appointment was scheduled by her staff, suggesting she may have been misled into allowing the individuals into her home.
Officials said this was the third time Norton has been targeted by scammers this year, though the previous two attempts were unsuccessful. No arrests have been made.
The incident has stirred concern in the nation’s capital, where Norton has served since 1991 and is widely viewed as an icon of the city’s push for statehood. Yet her advanced age and visible frailty have increasingly become subjects of public discussion—even among Democrats.
In recent months, Norton has appeared unsteady at public events, often requiring assistance from aides. Her occasional confusion and reliance on staff have prompted quiet unease within her party and open calls for retirement from some allies.
Donna Brazile, the veteran Democratic strategist and former party chair, said earlier this year that it may be time for new leadership in Washington’s at-large seat. “We love Eleanor, but the district needs a new champion to defend us,” Brazile said.
Despite the mounting questions, Norton remains defiant. She has already declared her intention to run for re-election in 2026, arguing that her seniority and institutional knowledge make her indispensable. “I say that my seniority is what is very important, and I am not going to step aside,” she vowed in September.
Her determination mirrors a broader pattern among aging lawmakers in both parties who have resisted calls to step down despite growing public concern over cognitive decline and transparency. The issue has taken on renewed significance following a string of incidents involving elderly members of Congress appearing disoriented or impaired in public.
For now, Norton remains on the ballot and in office—undaunted by critics, even as the latest episode underscores the vulnerabilities that can come with age, power, and public trust.
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