Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) will continue to serve as the chairwoman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) handily Tuesday.
A source in the room during leadership elections told the Washington Examiner that the tally results were 152 for Dingell and 59 for Crockett.
Crockett launched her challenge for DPCC chairwoman on Nov. 15, not giving her much time to rally support among her fellow House Democrats — many whom have established relationships with Dingell over the years.
Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), and Gwen Moore (D-WI), as well as Rep.-elect Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), gave nominating speeches for Dingell, while Crockett was the only one who spoke on her behalf, a source in the room confirmed.
Ahead of the DPCC election, Dingell told the Washington Examiner she reached out to every member of the Democratic caucus. A House Democrat said Dingell’s calls involved her asking how she can help and what members need from her moving forward. The Michigan Democrat has held the position since April 2024.
Crockett’s challenge to Dingell signaled a new generation of House Democrats looking to bring fresh blood into the leadership, particularly after the 2024 election when many Democrats felt the party lacked effective messaging to get Vice President Kamala Harris elected.
House Democrats, such as Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), see the value in having both new and older generation members in leadership, but the most important thing to her is finding someone who will hear their peers’ requests and recommendations.
“We need people who have been through many, many election cycles and understand, you know, and are battle-tested. We need both,” Balint said to the Washington Examiner. “What I want is someone who will listen. That’s what I want.
Balint continued, “What we see is that a lot of different members felt like they had to craft their own message for their district.”
Crockett made headlines this past spring when she went toe-to-toe with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) during a House Oversight Committee hearing, during which Crockett used the phrase “bleach blonde bad built butch body” to describe the firebrand Republican. Crockett later filed a trademark on the phrase.
Earlier Tuesday, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) won reelection as House Democrats’ leader. Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) also won reelection to their positions.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) became the first Generation Z member to hold congressional leadership after he won his election to be DPCC co-chairman, succeeding Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX). He told reporters after his election to the position he was feeling “great” and only wanted to run for a leadership spot if he had something to contribute.
“I used to work on campaign advance and music festivals, and so we want to make sure members feel better about their live events and press conferences, and then also the general message, because we’re losing like young men, and a lot of young voters,” Frost said, noting he wants to help Democrats expand their reach with a digital booking service.
