Vivian Wang and Emily Cochrane

Lowey, a New York Democrat who was first elected in 1988, is a staunch ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and she played a key role in the budget negotiations that helped end the country’s longest government shutdown earlier this year. She represents the northern suburbs of New York City, including Westchester and Rockland counties.

When Lowey, 82, arrived in Congress, she had few other female colleagues. She was consistently regarded as a trailblazer, from her stint as the first woman to lead the campaign arm for House Democrats, to her ascent this year to chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

But she was also among a group of powerful, long-serving New York House members who had drawn energetic primary challengers for next year. Mondaire Jones, a 32-year-old Harvard Law graduate who had worked in the Justice Department under former President Barack Obama, raised more than $218,000 last quarter for his primary challenge to Lowey, arguing that the district needed a more energetic representative.

Lowey’s announcement set off a wave of speculation about other potential contenders, including Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

Last year, when asked if she envisioned running for elected office, Chelsea Clinton told The Journal News, which covers the Hudson Valley, that “if someone were to step down or retire,” she would “have to think if it’s the right choice for me.”

She did not mention any particular office, although she is clearly familiar with Lowey’s district: Her parents’ house in Chappaqua, New York, is in the district. (Clinton does not live in Westchester, but congressional candidates are not required to live in the district they represent.)

Before this year, Lowey had never faced a primary challenge since first winning her seat. She also won reelection easily in each of her general elections, in a district considered safely Democratic.

In an interview after her announcement, Lowey, who is Jewish, said the decision came after reflection during the High Holy Days. Asked if a primary challenge contributed to her decision, Lowey replied, “Oh, that’s ridiculous.”

In her statement announcing her decision, she referred to her efforts to require contraceptive insurance coverage for federal employees, and to increase gender equity in federal medical research.

“I am honored that my colleagues in Congress elected me as the first chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee and will fight vigorously for House Democratic priorities as I negotiate spending bills for fiscal years 2020 and 2021,” she said.

This article originally appeared in

Rep. Nita Lowey Announces Unexpected Retirement

Rep. Nita M. Lowey, the first woman to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee, unexpectedly announced Thursday that she would not seek reelection in 2020.

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Vivian Wang and Emily Cochrane

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Rep. Nita Lowey Announces Unexpected Retirement