Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated Monday she gained’t search the highest Democratic place on the Oversight Committee, citing the caucus’ choice for seniority.
”It’s truly clear to me that the underlying dynamics within the caucus haven’t shifted with respect to seniority as a lot as I feel could be needed, so I imagine I’ll be staying put at Vitality and Commerce,” the New York progressive informed reporters.
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly’s choice to step apart as the highest Democrat on the high-profile panel for well being causes has kicked off a quiet scramble to succeed him even earlier than a proper emptiness was declared.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, was seen as a possible candidate after developing brief in a bid for the highest Oversight job final yr. That contest examined Home Democrats’ urge for food for youthful management amid a broader shift within the caucus, with longtime allies finally lining up behind Connolly whilst different committee heads stepped apart within the face of challenges from youthful lawmakers.
Since then, Ocasio-Cortez has headlined a sequence of packed “Combat Oligarchy” rallies with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The nationwide tour has stoked hypothesis a few potential run for greater workplace, and her choice to forego a step up the ladder within the Home may solely gasoline that hypothesis additional.
Ocasio-Cortez stated she believed the considering amongst Home Democrats hadn’t shifted appreciably sufficient because the earlier contest. “I feel the end result will largely be the identical at this level,” she stated.
Connolly named Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch, 70, as Democrats’ interim chief on the panel, and Lynch stated final week he’ll search the highest job with Connolly’s backing.
On prime of the seniority-based dynamics and lingering friction over previous political fights, Ocasio-Cortez would have confronted different obstacles to operating for the highest Oversight job. She left the panel after profitable a seat final yr on the extra highly effective Vitality and Commerce Committee; rejoining would have required Democratic leaders to waive caucus guidelines and doubtlessly to do some reshuffling on panels.
Ocasio-Cortez’s choice to not run this time will open up a crowded discipline of candidates for the highest place, a few of whom have already began to quietly spherical up help within the caucus.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett has already began privately stumping for the job, and different younger progressives may search the function too together with Reps. Robert Garcia of California, Ro Khanna of California and Maxwell Frost of Florida.
