Staring down another two years in the minority, House Democrats will gather Tuesday and reelect their leaders to another term atop leadership.
Despite failing to gain control of the chamber, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar are facing no challenges to their roles. As we’ve reported, rank-and-file lawmakers are largely pleased with their leaders, concluding that House Democrats did the best they could in a tough political environment. The anger and frustration from rank-and-file Democrats is aimed at the top of the ticket, not their own leaders.
While there’s no drama atop the Democratic Caucus, there are a number of contested races lower down the rungs.
DPCC chair: As we reported on Monday, freshman Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is challenging Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) to become the House Democrats’ top messaging chief.
Dingell is playing up her experience as a swing-state representative, an important perspective following GOP success in 2024.
Crockett is highlighting her social media skills and has touted her work leading Democratic messaging in Texas.
This race is being closely watched, and some senior Democrats are raising eyebrows at a freshman running for a higher leadership position. Crockett has countered that Dingell has already served two terms as co-chair and it is time for a fresh perspective.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) is expected to win one of the open DPCC co-chair slots.
Battleground leadership representative: Reps. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) are running to represent Frontline and Red-to-Blue members at the leadership table. Lee spearheaded the creation of the new position in 2022. The role is open since the current chair, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), is leaving to run for governor.
DCCC chair: Jeffries has the sole power to appoint the next DCCC chair. We’re told by Democratic aides that Jeffries isn’t focusing on the campaign chair position until the newly elected leadership team is installed.
But we wouldn’t be shocked if Jeffries turned to DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene to lead the organization for a second straight term. DelBene is well-liked, and members largely are pleased with the way the DCCC helped candidates outrun the top of the ticket in November.
New Dem chair: Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) are vying to lead the New Democrat Coalition. This election is expected to take place on Wednesday.
