With a group of younger legislators ready to take over from the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress, the announcement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, that she would step away from the leadership ranks, triggered a generational shift that many consider "anticipated" in the leadership of the parliamentary democrats.
Now, the time has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Caucus that I so deeply respect and... I am grateful that there are so many ready and willing to take on this awesome responsibility.
Now, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Caucus that I so deeply respect.
I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility. pic.twitter.com/KDrCt5tptz
- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 17, 2022
House Democrats are scheduled to meet on November 30 to elect their leaders for the next Congress.
Younger successors
The New York Times notes that in the Democratic Party "the old guard is leaving and a new one is coming in." For 20 years, Nancy Pelosi, Steny H. Hoyer, and James E. Clyburn have taken command of their party in the House by "freezing out dozens of ambitious young legislators who were eager to move up to more important roles," some of whom grew tired of waiting.
However, in announcing her plans to step down from the leadership, Pelosi agrees with Hoyer that it is time to make way for a new generation of leaders, throwing her support behind Rep, Hakeem Jeffries, who, at 52 years of age, is the most likely "successor to lead the Democratic leadership." Clyburn -who is also expected to give up his seat- said he also hoped that the representatives -for Massachusetts- Katherine Clark, 59 years old, and -for California- Pete Aguilar, 43, will be the new "leading Democrats" in the House.
The three legislators - all younger - have formed "a close alliance over the past two years in the leadership ranks and are widely viewed as the only contenders for the top three spots in the caucus" and have "been quietly laying the groundwork to move forward" for many years now.
The expected promotion of Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar would allow several other legislators to assume more important roles. Among those who have expressed interest in the expected vacancies are Joyce Beatty, Joe Neguse, Madeleine Dean, Debbie Dingell and Ted Lieu.
Hakeem Jeffries
Representative from New York, emerged as one of Donald Trump's most outspoken critics and is considered "more moderate than Pelosi." He has resisted policies prioritized by the more progressive side of his party, such as the Green New Deal. This has caused him to be criticized by the far left.
However, Jeffries has the support of another influential bloc of Democrats: the "Congressional Black Caucus," whose members have begun to publicly support and defend him. Rep. Joyce Beatty, chair of the group, noted:
I think every member of the Congressional Black Caucus would vote for Hakeem Jeffries.... He's pushed us, he's worked together with Speaker Pelosi, he's been advised by Jim Clyburn and I think he's ready.
Katherine Clark
Representative from Massachusetts, first came to Congress after winning a special election in 2013 to represent Massachusetts' Fifth Congressional District, after holding several public offices in the state. In recent years, she has risen through the leadership ranks, earning a place on the House Appropriations Committee, and has aligned herself with the most progressive in Congress.
The representative, Ann McLane Kuster, was in tears as she spoke to reporters about Clark:
I'm very proud of her. People don't realize that it's still hard for women... Think how many male statues are in this building. And here are these women like OK, I got this. I can do this...
Pete Aguilar
The California representative would become the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress. Framing his life in the fulfillment of the "American dream" he described many times his upbringing in a blue-collar family. Aguilar served as mayor of the city of Redlands before winning a seat in California in 2014.
He is a member of the House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on January 6. And he led a hearing to examine Trump's "pressure Trump" campaign against his vice president, Mike Pence.
Three legislators with divided support
A general change of leadership that generates a lot of expectation and "different emotions" said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D). "It's not just about any speaker delivering a gavel. This opens the door to a lot of dynamics that I don't think any member is fully aware of." In addition, the New York representative said she was not yet ready to endorse Jeffries:
I'm just processing what just happened.... There is a lot of healing to be done in our caucus.
