Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) voiced support for a trio of Democrats to lead the House conference after the speaker and her deputies announced they would make way for a new crop of leaders on Thursday.
“Yesterday, I said on the Floor that the time has come for a new generation to lead our magnificent House Democratic Caucus,” she said in a statement Friday. “It is with pride, gratitude and confidence in their abilities that I salute Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark and Vice Chairman Pete Aguilar for being ready and willing to assume this awesome responsibility.”
The three lawmakers, who announced their bids Friday morning, are widely expected to replace Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) in the top three leadership positions. Pelosi has led the House Democrats for the last 20 years, while Hoyer and Clyburn have been with her at the helm for more than 15.
Pelosi’s statement means all three octogenarians have now announced their backing for Jeffries, currently the Democratic caucus chairman. Each has called for a “new generation of leaders.” Jeffries is running to replace Pelosi, while Clark and Aguilar are running for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively. Leadership elections are slated to be held after the Thanksgiving recess.
“A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will capably lead our Caucus and the Congress,” Pelosi said.
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Pelosi, Hoyer, and Clyburn will remain members of Congress, taking on more of an advisory role for House Democrats. Clyburn said Friday he would stay “at the leadership table as the Assistant Democratic Leader.”
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