Nationwide — Maxine Waters has won reelection to California’s 43rd Congressional District, extending her decades-long career in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the age of 88, she is set to become the oldest member of Congress and could once again take a leadership role on the House Financial Services Committee. The longtime Democrat defeated Republican challenger Cristian Morales by a wide margin, receiving approximately 82% of the vote compared with his 18.3%, according to NBC Los Angeles. Her victory was widely expected, as she also received roughly four times as many votes as Morales in the June primary.
Waters has represented the district, which includes Inglewood, Compton, Hawthorne and Torrance, since first winning election to Congress in 1990. Despite a growing push for younger political leaders in several Democratic strongholds, she maintained strong support among voters in the district, which has a sizable Black and Latino population. She has also brushed aside concerns about her age, telling Politico that she has more energy than younger people.
Before entering Congress, she spent 14 years in the California State Assembly, eventually becoming chair of the Democratic caucus. She has served on the Democratic National Committee since 1980 and played key roles in five presidential campaigns. Her outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump and his administration has also helped raise her national profile. Meanwhile, younger supporters have embraced her nickname, “Aunty Maxine,” which has become closely associated with her direct approach to politics.
Throughout her congressional career, she has held several influential positions. In 2019, she became the first woman and first African American to chair the House Financial Services Committee, a position she held until 2023. The committee oversees major issues involving banking, housing, and financial markets. Following her reelection, she is expected to seek another leadership role on the panel, although the House Democratic caucus will determine its leadership positions.
Her lengthy political career has also included some controversies. She previously faced an ethics investigation over allegations that she improperly used her influence to help a bank secure federal funding. Despite the scrutiny, she continued representing her district and remained an influential figure in the Democratic Party.