Kathleen Williams, a Democratic U.S. House candidate in Montana, released an advertisement announcing she would not back House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in the event Williams defeats her opponent, Republican incumbent Greg Gianforte.
“Unfortunately, this Congress is stuck in endless dysfunction and partisan gridlock,” Williams says in the ad.
She says Republicans will gain new leadership in the House because Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is retiring, adding that Democrats also need a “fresh start.”
“That’s why I won’t be voting for Nancy Pelosi for leader. Instead, I’ll push to find a new leadership team that ensures Congress works for all of us,” Williams says.
Williams isn’t the only Democrat pushing for a leadership change for Democrats. Multiple candidates have said they will not back Pelosi for a leadership position, while some Democratic lawmakers have urged for changes in Democratic leadership.
“Having the top three leadership of the same generation, I think it’s time for that generational change,” Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., said earlier this month.
“House Democrats are focused on winning in November and if you are rowing in the opposite direction, you are only helping Republicans,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said afterwards.
Pelosi, 78, announced in May she will run for speaker of the House if Democrats win control of the House in the 2018 midterms elections.
Williams and Gianforte will compete to serve as the representative of Montana’s at-large congressional district in November.
