Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, the pioneering Black congresswoman from New Jersey, announced Monday she will not seek reelection in 2024, bringing a close to her decade-long congressional career.

Watson Coleman, 80, who made history as the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives, cited personal considerations in her decision to step down from the 12th Congressional District seat she has held since 2015.

“After tremendous thought and reflection and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek reelection,” Watson Coleman said in a statement. “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.”

The congresswoman’s announcement adds her name to the growing list of House members opting not to run in the upcoming election cycle. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden have also announced their retirements, contributing to the significant turnover expected in Congress after the 2024 elections.

Watson Coleman’s political career spans more than two decades of public service. Before her election to Congress in 2014, she served in the New Jersey state legislature from 1998 to 2014, where she built a reputation as a progressive voice focused on economic and social justice issues.

Throughout her congressional tenure, Watson Coleman has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump and has championed progressive policies aimed at reducing economic inequality. She has emphasized her commitment to fighting poverty and promoting what she describes as “an economy for all.”

“I’m proud of my record of service both in Congress and in the New Jersey state legislature,” Watson Coleman noted in her retirement announcement.

The 12th District, which includes the state capital of Trenton and Princeton University, has been a reliable Democratic stronghold in recent elections. Political analysts expect the seat to remain in Democratic hands, though Watson Coleman’s retirement will likely trigger a competitive primary race to succeed her.

In recent months, Watson Coleman made headlines when she stood in solidarity with fellow Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver during a controversial incident at an immigration detention center in Newark. Both congresswomen were present when Newark’s mayor was arrested on trespassing charges, which were later dropped. McIver still faces assault charges, to which she has pleaded not guilty. Watson Coleman has publicly supported McIver, dismissing the charges as “purely political.”

Watson Coleman’s departure marks the end of a historic chapter in New Jersey politics. As the first Black woman to represent the state in Congress, she broke significant barriers and has been a voice for underrepresented communities throughout her political career.

The congresswoman’s decision comes at a time of significant generational change in the Democratic caucus, with several long-serving members choosing to step down. Her retirement will create an opportunity for new leadership to emerge in a district that encompasses both urban and academic communities.

While Watson Coleman has not specified her plans after leaving Congress, her decades of public service have established her as an influential figure in New Jersey politics and within the Congressional Black Caucus. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, attention will now turn to potential candidates seeking to continue her progressive legacy in the reliably Democratic district.