Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., announced Thursday she’s dropping out of the race for House Democratic Caucus chair after learning that her husband was indicted on federal theft charges.
Sanchez’s husband, James Sullivan, was indicted Thursday along with four other board members of Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative on federal theft charges, according to The Day.
“Earlier today I learned that my husband is facing charges in Connecticut,” Sanchez said in a statement. “After careful consideration of the time and energy being in leadership demands, I have decided that my focus now needs to be on my son, my family, and my constituents in California.”
In a letter to colleagues Sanchez said the “unexpected family matter” compelled her to “withdraw my name as a candidate for Chair of the Democratic Caucus.”
Sanchez’s move came hours after Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., jumped into the race. Sanchez was originally slated to face off against fellow California Rep. Barbara Lee. The two ran against each other for Sanchez’s current position of vice chair. Sanchez won by a sliver.
Though Sanchez said she won’t be in a leadership position the next Congress, she “intend[s] to remain a resource for new and returning members.” Sanchez is the highest-ranking Latina in the House.
Sanchez’s decision to exit the race frees up members who had committed to vote for her to pick one of the other two candidates. A number of members who were set to vote for Sanchez are also close with Jeffries and are now able to swing their votes over to him.
A number of Democratic members have floated Jeffries’ name as a potential successor to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Democrats won back the House on Tuesday after eight years in the minority. Lawmakers are now jockeying for leadership positions, with some speculation swirling around the speaker of the House. Pelosi, who made history as the first female House speaker in 2007, intends to reclaim the gavel in January.
