Democrats were in shock Wednesday morning after a 28-year-old progressive ousted their caucus chairman, Rep. Joe Crowley, in a remarkable New York primary upset.
Still processing Crowley’s crushing defeat as they entered a caucus meeting Wednesday, Democrats attempted to understand what happened to the Queens party boss many thought could become speaker.
Some chalked up the loss to local politics and the fact that the demographics of Crowley’s district dramatically shifted during his 10 terms in the seat, but nothing more. Others said it’s the product of an energized base and the momentum behind female candidates.
One thing is certain: Democrats were blindsided by Crowley’s ouster and his vacancy will set off a race not just for his post as chairman, but potentially catalyze members to challenge current leaders.
“That’s open season — I’ve always had somebody run against me,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said Wednesday when asked about a possible challenge to her leadership.
Yet most Democrats were in a state of disbelief Wednesday, marveling at Alexandria Ocasio-Crotez’s ability to vanquish an aspiring leader in their caucus. Crowley’s deputy as vice chair of the caucus, Rep. Linda Sanchez, was visibly upset as she answered questions at a sit down with reporters in the Capitol complex.
“Obviously last night brought some surprises,” said Sanchez, D-Calif. “I’m still trying to process it all.”
Sanchez considered Crowley a mentor and praised his leadership, but when asked if she plans to run for his spot, she didn’t shy away.
“I think that I would be a good caucus chair,” Sanchez said. “Having said that, I’m not making any announcements.”
Sanchez added that she hasn’t spoken to Crowley since his loss and plans to continue talking to members. “Anything could happen,” she said.
Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., cautioned that Democrats are being “sensitive about jumping over Joe’s body” because he’s well loved among members. So far no members think Crowley should step aside before his term is up.
“But being a part of leadership and working with all the various caucuses — Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, budgetary perspective — I can tell you if Linda decides she wants to seek that position she would have broad support in the caucus,” Yarmuth said.
Democratic members Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Ben Ray Lujan of California have also been named as possible successors to Crowley. And a number of them have made the short list for potential future whip or speaker.
Seen as a the most likely to challenge Pelosi, Crowley’s defeat removes that threat to the longtime House Democratic leader. But it also emboldens her loudest critics clamoring for a generational change across the top three leadership positions for the caucus.
As Democrats have grown more bullish about their prospects of taking back the House, so too have rank-and-file members mulled the possibility of a future after Pelosi.
“If we take over the majority, there will be challenges to leadership, because first of all, there will be a lot of new people who’ve already said they’re not going to vote for Nancy,” said Yarmuth.
As for Tuesday’s stunner, however, Yarmuth said his primary takeaway is that “you don’t want to run against a Democratic woman this year.”
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., disagreed, dismissing the upset as “local politics.” Sitting across the table from each other as they spoke to reporters, Smith and Yarmuth captured the ongoing battle among Democrats on what it will take to win in November and whether the party can learn anything from Ocasio-Cortez’s win.
“I don’t know if I buy the energy thing,” said Smith, “It’s more representative of what was going on in that specific district than any sort of national trend.”
For Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., Crowley’s loss tells Democrats that they have to pay attention to the base if they have any hope of capturing control of the House.
“I don’t care how much money we spend, if we don’t energize our base and motivate Democrats to vote, we are in for the long haul,” Clyburn said.
Al Weaver contributed to this report.
