House Democrats set June 24 for a caucus election date to decide the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s next top spot after the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
Possible contenders for the spot have held off on public comments out of respect for the late congressman but are expected to make more announcements after Connolly’s services concluded Tuesday, according to Politico. Four Democrats are eyeing the large job: Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD).
Asked Sunday if she hopes to lead the committee, Crockett responded, “I absolutely do.”
“Unfortunately, we are going to lay dear colleague Gerry Connolly to rest here on Tuesday, and there will have to be an election to determine who is going to lead the Oversight Committee,” Crockett said on MSNBC.
“And ultimately I am hoping and praying that my colleagues see that I can provide what we need as a team to make sure we can move forward and instill some confidence in the American people by knowing that they have a real fighter who will not back down even in the face of all the threats that I will have waged at me.”
The contenders for the job will appear before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee before they can make recommendations before the caucus votes to solidify the top member. As Democrats search for messaging that will stick leading into the 2026 midterm elections, this election will offer a glimpse of whether the party is willing to elevate younger members or continue to acknowledge seniority.
CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING BAN FOSTERS RARE BIPARTISANSHIP
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came up short after a contentious race with Connolly for the ranking member spot on the committee earlier this year.
Ocasio-Cortez does not hold a seat on the Oversight Committee, as she sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee this Congress, which opened the path for the other four members to compete for the spot.