Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) jumped into the race Tuesday to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
Three other Democrats have already entered the race: Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD). The caucus election, set for June 24, comes after Connolly died last month.
“From the pulpit of the Oversight Committee, the Ranking Member must lay out our case against Trump 2.0 and his accomplices, the Republicans in the House, and discharge this message across the nation,” Crockett wrote in a letter. “The Ranking Member must succinctly summarize the most salient points of our evidence.”
Crockett outlined four commitments to her colleagues if elected: upholding the constitution and defending the rule of law, keeping the American people front and center, protecting and promoting a strong federal workforce, and winning back the majority.
“The House Oversight Committee can be a powerful tool for accountability, transparency, and ultimately, for winning back the trust of the American people,” Crockett continued. “But, it will only be as strong as the unity and shared purpose we bring to it.”
Crockett has become known for her viral moments online as she has aggressively opposed President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Republicans have jumped at running attack ads for these viral moments.
“Jasmine Crockett is the perfect spokesperson for today’s Democrats — out of touch and completely unhinged. When you’ve got no message and no agenda, all that’s left is hate,” National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Mike Marinella said earlier this year.
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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 spot will give a glimpse of whether the party is willing to give way for younger members or continue to follow the seniority system.
Democratic star Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came up short behind Connolly after a contentious race for the ranking spot on the committee. 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 these four members to make their case.