Democrats are facing an internal dispute over the future of their congressional leadership as Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois prepares to challenge Rep. Maxine Waters of California for chair of the House Financial Services Committee if Democrats win control of the House in November.

Casten, 54, informed Waters on Tuesday that he intends to seek the position, setting up a potential contest with the 88-year-old California Democrat, who has served in Congress since 1991. The committee oversees major sectors of the economy, including housing, banking, cryptocurrency, and the Federal Reserve.

The potential challenge has raised questions about whether Democrats will prioritize generational change or allow one of their most prominent progressive lawmakers to take the gavel. If Waters becomes chair after Democrats regain control, she would be the oldest person to hold the position in the committee’s history.

One senior House Democrat, speaking anonymously, said there is a broad appetite within the caucus for younger leadership.

“I think it’s a pretty broad appetite in our caucus for generational change, and you can’t get a more glaring case for generational change… than an 88-year-old member, who will turn 90 before the next Congress is over, clinging to the gavel,” the lawmaker said, while also expressing respect for Waters’ career and values.

The dispute comes amid broader scrutiny of the ages of Democratic leaders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is 75, Sen. Bernie Sanders is 84, Rep. Jim Clyburn is 86, Rep. Rosa DeLauro is 83, and Sen. Dick Durbin is 81. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, 86, and Steny Hoyer, 87, are retiring at the end of the current term.

The party’s debate over aging leadership has also been shaped by former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race following concerns about his age, cognitive condition, and physical limitations. Questions about succession and generational change have continued to surface among Democrats as the party considers its future leadership.

Waters remains a prominent progressive voice and a frequent critic of President Donald Trump. Her confrontational style has earned her support among younger Democrats, including Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, who has referred to her affectionately as “Auntie Maxine.”

“I see Maxine’s wisdom not as a weakness but as a strength,” Torres said when asked about her age. “I can assure you Maxine Waters has more youthful energy than I will ever have in my life.”

Casten has received support from at least some Democratic lawmakers. A member of the House Democratic steering committee, which helps determine committee assignments, described him as “competent, capable and a team player,” adding that he would be inclusive and use the chairmanship to benefit the broader Democratic caucus.

However, the potential effort to replace Waters could also create tensions with the Congressional Black Caucus. One House Democrat warned that the group would make its views known if Waters were pushed aside.

Torres also criticized Casten’s decision to announce his challenge so close to the midterm elections, arguing that it could distract from the party’s efforts to present a united front.

“The notion of challenging a bona fide icon a month before the midterm election strikes me as a monumental distraction from the goal of winning the midterms and presenting a united front as a party,” Torres said.

The dispute underscores the competing considerations facing Democrats as they weigh experience, representation and generational change in determining who would lead one of Congress’ most influential committees.