A retiring Democratic congresswoman said she’s trying to set a “better example” by leaving her position.

Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., has represented New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District since 2013. The 68-year-old did not seek reelection this year, saying in May she always intended not to “stay in Congress forever.”

The congresswoman reflected on her time in office to The Boston Globe on Thursday, saying she hopes her departure provides opportunities for younger generations.

“I’m trying to set a better example,” Kuster said. “I think there are colleagues — and some of whom are still very successful and very productive — but others who just stay forever.”

Rep.-elect Maggie Goodlander, 38, will take over Kuster’s seat next month. The Democratic representative-elect has served in the White House and the Department of Justice during the Biden administration.

The remarks come just days after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., lost her bid to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. The 35-year-old congresswoman was beaten out by Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who is 74.

While the committee race was playing out, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., attempted to use her influence within the Democratic Party to sway allies away from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Punchbowl News reported. The two congresswomen have feuded in the past, with the tension largely starting after Pelosi downplayed the influence of freshmen Democrats in 2019.

A book about Ocasio-Cortez’s career released last year also contained a text message describing how Rep. Pelosi has singled out the 35-year-old over her age, according to several reports.

“The amount of times [Pelosi] told me that stupid ‘I have protest signs older than you in my basement’ s—. Like yeah, but mine don’t collect dust,” the text message written by Ocasio-Cortez reportedly read.

Pelosi, 84, in November filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Such a filing is required for any individual who is a candidate for federal office.

The move came just days after Pelosi secured a 20th term representing California’s 11th Congressional District.

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