Maxine Waters wins reelection, set to become oldest member of Congress, NBC News projects

Congresswoman Maxine Waters wins reelection to California’s 43rd Congressional District, likely defeating her relatively unknown Republican challenger by a large margin, NBC News projected Tuesday.

Among nearly 55% of the expected ballots counted, Waters, who turned 88 in August, received nearly 82% of the votes, compared with Republican Cristian Morales, who received 18.3%. With the latest victory, Waters is expected to once again lead the Financial Services Committee, one of the chamber’s key panels overseeing the banking industry, housing and financial markets.

Despite being the oldest member of Congress, Waters’ victory was widely expected. She received four times as many votes as Morales in the June primary.

The longtime congresswoman, first elected to Congress in 1990, has represented the South Los Angeles and South Bay regions for decades. During her tenure, she weathered an ethics investigation after being accused of improperly using her influence to help a bank secure federal funding.

Waters bucked a national trend of younger, outsider candidates gaining momentum, even in Democratic strongholds. The 43rd Congressional District includes Inglewood, Compton, Hawthorne and Torrance, with a sizable Black and Latino population. Waters brushed off concerns about her age in an interview with Politico, saying she has more energy than younger people.

Waters has been an influential figure in the Democratic Party and California politics for decades. Before being elected to Congress, she served in the California State Assembly for 14 years, rising to the position of Democratic caucus chair. She has also served on the Democratic National Committee since 1980 and played key roles in five presidential campaigns.

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The congresswoman has embraced the nickname “Aunty Maxine,” which gained popularity among younger supporters who admired her outspoken advocacy. Her direct criticism of President Donald Trump and his administration has also helped raise her national profile. The nickname may help distinguish her from the political establishment that some voters have grown frustrated with, though its impact on the race remains uncertain.

Waters has already made history: She became the first woman and first African American to chair the House Financial Services Committee, serving in the role from 2019 to 2023.