NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 10, 2026) — Eliot Engel, a former U.S. representative who served 16 terms in Congress representing parts of the Bronx and Westchester County, died April 10 in the Bronx at age 79 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
Governor Kathy Hochul has directed that flags across New York State be flown at half-staff on April 12 to honor Engel.
Engel at his Congressional office.
Engel served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2021 after first being elected in 1988, defeating a 10-term incumbent. He previously served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1988, with more than 44 years in public office.
He represented a district that included the north Bronx and southern Westchester County. During his congressional tenure, Engel focused on foreign policy and served as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2019 to 2021, after previously serving as ranking member.
Engel supported Israel and U.S. intervention in Kosovo in the 1990s and co-negotiated the Harkin-Engel Protocol addressing child labor in cocoa production. He also played a role in the House during the first impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
Engel at White House as Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi confront President Trump (10/17/2019)
He was born in the Bronx and worked as a teacher and guidance counselor before entering politics.
Engel lost the 2020 Democratic primary to Jamaal Bowman and left office in 2021. His campaign drew criticism during that race over his absence from the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and a “hot mic” remark at a campaign event.
Public officials issued statements following his death.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said Engel “devoted more than three decades to representing the people of New York” and described him as “a fierce advocate for his constituents in Westchester and the Bronx” who “helped shape U.S. policy on the global stage while never losing sight of the needs of the communities he represented at home.”
Rep. George Latimer said Engel “devoted his lifetime to public service — as a teacher and as an elected official in Albany and Washington DC,” and cited his work “helping bring peace to the Balkans in the 1990s.”
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin said Engel “represented our community with distinction for more than three decades” and served “the people of Westchester, Rockland and the Bronx with dedication and integrity.”
Rep. Mike Lawler said Engel represented “the Bronx, Westchester and parts of Rockland County” and served as chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Rep. Jerry Nadler described Engel as “a lifelong Democrat” and “a tireless champion for the people of the Bronx, Westchester and Rockland.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Engel “brought the best of the Bronx to Congress” and “fought tirelessly for the people he served.”
Andrew Cuomo said Engel “dedicated his life to public service and never stopped fighting for the people he represented.”
The Israel Foreign Ministry said Engel was “a true friend of Israel” who “worked tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between the U.S.A. and Israel.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Engel “dedicated decades of his life to public service,” noting his early career as a teacher and guidance counselor and his 16 terms in Congress.
“Congressman Eliot Engel stood with Kosovo when it mattered most, and he never once wavered,” said Vjosa Osmani, president of Kosovo.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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