Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., is talking to her colleagues about running for the assistant Democratic leader post should Democrats win back the House.
Bustos has not officially announced her bid for the position, but multiple members confirmed that she is running for the spot. Bustos is one of many Democrats weighing their options for higher positions within the caucus as members envision themselves in the majority for the first time since 2010.
“I’m looking at doing something,” Bustos said two weeks ago, but wouldn’t say which post she’s interested in. “We’ve got 50-plus days left and we really can’t afford to be taking our eye off the prize even one minute. These tough swing districts that we have to win to win back the majority, they’re tough.”
“I’m listening to my colleagues and having conversations,” she said.
When asked Thursday about members confirming that she is asking for meetings and running for assistant Democratic leader, Bustos said she would talk about it later.
“I’m supporting Cheri for assistant Democratic leader,” Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, told the Washington Examiner.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., also said that Bustos is running for the post.
The position helps facilitate communication between leaders and rank-and-file members, Connolly explained. It would not be a challenge to any of the current leaders, but Bustos would be running against Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., who declared for the position earlier Thursday in a letter to colleagues.
“In preparation for the next Congress, we need to make sure that we have a leadership team that can hit the ground running to pass our legislative agenda and to hold President Trump accountable for his actions,” Cicilline wrote in his letter. “I’ve proven that I can go toe-to-toe with the other side of the aisle and that I won’t back down.”
Cicilline and Bustos have served as co-chairs on the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee since 2016.
Bustos’ office did not respond to a request for comment by publication.
