Image: California Rep. Julia Brownley won’t seek reelection this year. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley announced Thursday that she wouldn’t seek an eighth term this year, opening up a deep-blue Southern California seat north of Los Angeles.

Brownley, 73, joins a wave of older Democrats opting to retire in 2026. They include former Speaker and fellow Californian Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, Jerrold Nadler of New York, and Jan Schakowsky and Danny K. Davis of Illinois.

In a statement released Thursday, Brownley called her tenure in Congress “the honor of a lifetime” and pledged to continue serving her constituents in California’s 26th District.

“With another year remaining in my term, I will continue working every day to deliver results for our region, advance legislation that improves the lives and livelihoods of people in my district and across our country, and stand up for the values and priorities my constituents sent me here to defend,’’ she said.

Brownley’s decision drew praise from the president of Run for Something, which backs progressive candidates 40 and under. In a social media post, Amanda Litman, who has publicly called on Democrats over 70 to consider stepping aside, thanked the congresswoman for her leadership “and for knowing when it’s time to pass the torch.’’

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