MONTICELLO – Without naming federal officials like 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, who froze twice during news conferences, or 90-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, who was absent from Washington for three months because of declining health, Congressman Marcus Molinaro (R, NY-19) said it is time for elderly politicians to consider retiring.
Molinaro, who has been a member of the House since winning a special election last year, said politicians need to assess health and age.
“At some point, whether it is you are confronting a mental or physical health concern that requires you to take stock and focus on yourself, or you have some health concern later on in life, as a public official, you need to know when it is time to exit the stage,” he said. “And there are plenty of people in public office who need to decide to exit the stage and allow the next generation to step forward.”
Molinaro, who is 47, has been in politics since age 18 when he was in village government including as mayor. He rose through the ranks as a Dutchess County legislator, state assemblyman and county executive before winning the congressional seat.
