Facing a younger Democratic primary challenger in her South Los Angeles district, veteran Congresswoman Maxine Waters argued that voters should judge politicians by their accomplishments rather than their age.

Waters has served in Congress for 35 years and is defending her seat ahead of a June Democratic primary. Her challenger, Jamaal Shakir Rahman, has emphasized generational change and a desire to bring fresh leadership to a district with an average age of 36 years old.

The Age Debate

During a recent interview, Waters was pressed directly on whether there should be age limits for elected office. “The people should evaluate who should be in office with their vote, and that’s it,” she said.

When asked whether even a hypothetical 100-year-old candidate should be allowed to serve, Waters remained firm on her position. “Performance and effectiveness” should be the measures by which voters judge candidates, she said.

The Challenge

Rahman has campaigned on the need for new leadership in the district, citing his relatability to younger constituents. “Being able to afford housing. Raising my children in the district and school there, talking to their friends. And elections are about the future,” Rahman said.

Waters countered that her experience and daily commitment to the job are reasons voters should re-elect her. The congresswoman has remained active in community issues, including appearing at demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in February.

Recent Controversy

Waters attended an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles in February, hours before the demonstration became violent. Los Angeles police arrested multiple agitators and deployed pepper balls and tear gas to disperse crowds near a federal detention center.