Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who just turned 84, declared that it is “disappointing that some Democratic leaders are urging Governor Mills to run” for the U.S. Senate in 2026; he prefers Graham Platner. Because if there’s anything that Sanders hates to see, it’s a hard-fought, long, drawn out Democratic primary.

Maine Governor Janet Mills is 78; if elected, she would be 79 at her swearing-in ceremony; at the end of her first term, she would be 85.

Elsewhere in the 2026 Senate map, Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, age 80, is retiring. In Kentucky, Republican Mitch McConnell, age 83, is retiring as well.

Republican Jim Risch of Idaho is running for another term. He turned 82 in May.

Democrat Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who turns 80 next July, intends to run for reelection for another six-year term. Representative Seth Moulton, age 46, announced he will challenge Markey in the Senate primary.

In Rhode Island, Democrat Jack Reed, who turns 76 in November, announced he will run for another term. He will face a primary challenge from an East Providence elder care worker, which sounds like I am being snarky, but as Dave Barry used to write, I swear, I am not making this up.

In Colorado, John Hickenlooper, who is 73, also intends to serve another term.

I will remind you that in 1995, Time magazine’s cover story was whether Bob Dole, at 72, was too old to be president.