On Monday, more than a dozen Democrats publicly committed to opposing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) bid to take back the speakership after she losing it to Republicans in 2010. Sixteen, including 15 elected House members and one whose results were pending, signed onto a letter suggesting that Democrats took back their House majority in spite of rather than because of her.
On Monday, more than a dozen Democrats publicly committed to opposing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) bid to take back the speakership after losing it to Republicans in 2010.
Sixteen, including 15 elected House members and one whose results were pending, signed onto a letter suggesting that Democrats took back their House majority in spite of her rather than because of her.
NEW: 16 House Democrats sign letter thanking Rep. Pelosi for her years of service and leadership, but urge « that the time has come for new leadership in our Caucus. » pic.twitter.com/TfyJJkqbyB
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 19,2018
“We also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran and won on a message of change,” the letter read.
As we head toward the 116th Congress and reclaim our Democratic majority, we believe more strongly than ever that the time has come for new leadership in our Caucus.
We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus. She is a historic figure whose leadership has been instrumental to some of our party’s most important legislative achievements.
However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran and won on a message of change. Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington. We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.
Therefore, we are committed to voting for new leadership in both our Caucus meeting and on the House Floor.
The letter came at the end of a long election cycle in which interparty disputes surfaced and many, including Democrats, raised questions about Pelosi’s impact on the party’s future.
The president himself apparently thought it was a good strategy to tie the Democratic Party to Pelosi and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) before the midterms.
As Politico noted, at least three other Democratic lawmakers or members-elect committed to opposing Pelosi’s bid. Those included Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.), Abigail Spanberger, and Jason Crow.
Last week, one of Pelosi’s newest and youngest members, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, joined protesters who sat in Pelosi’s office and demanded action on climate change. The incident seemed to serve as a reminder that the Democrats’ win didn’t automatically translate into Pelosi’s ascension in leadership.
Pelosi, however, seemed receptive to competition, saying during a press conference, “Come on in, the water’s warm.”
NEW: « Yes, » Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says when asked if she has votes today to be elected speaker of the House.
« I intend to win the speakership with Democratic votes… I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, » she adds https://t.co/TYtgVuGpGi pic.twitter.com/7ES7qKRc2U
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 15,2018
Pelosi could face potential challenges from Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio).
