Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has officially announced that she will not seek the prominent Democratic role on the influential House Oversight Committee, thereby dispelling rumors regarding her interest in the ranking member position following her defeat in December.
In a statement to the press, Ocasio-Cortez clarified that she would not compete for the position, which is expected to become available after Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) revealed his resignation from the leadership role due to a recurrence of his cancer, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Previously, Ocasio-Cortez mentioned that there was no ‘vacancy to run for,’ but later indicated to reporters that she was considering a possible candidacy. Nevertheless, on Monday, she confirmed her decision not to pursue the committee chairmanship, citing the caucus’s focus on seniority as a significant reason for her choice.
I am convinced that the fundamental dynamics within the caucus have not changed significantly regarding seniority, which I believe is essential. Therefore, I intend to remain in my position on the Energy and Commerce Committee,” stated the progressive Democrat from New York.
Should Ocasio-Cortez have chosen to seek the position, she would have needed a waiver to rejoin the Oversight Committee. Currently, she is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which is an ‘exclusive’ panel that, according to House regulations, restricts members from serving on additional committees without special permission, as reported by the Examiner.
House Democrats are facing a generational transition following the 2024 election, as several younger legislators have contested longstanding leaders for ranking member positions. Many members of the caucus contend that it is time to introduce new perspectives into leadership following the Republicans’ significant electoral successes.
Angie Craig (D-MN) was the sole younger member to successfully navigate a contested committee leadership election last December, obtaining the ranking member role on the House Agriculture Committee.
Despite her current campaign for an open Senate seat in Minnesota, her office has confirmed to the Washington Examiner that she will maintain her committee leadership responsibilities, as reported by the outlet. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) is presently the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, having taken on the role after his competitor, the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), exited the race.
Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez’s choice to forgo the ranking member position is not unexpected, considering her recent fundraising efforts, which significantly surpass those of an average House member in a securely Democratic district.
With a campaign fund totaling $10 million, there is growing speculation regarding her potential aspirations for a future presidential run or a challenge against Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for a Senate seat.
She has been significantly engaged on the national platform, attracting substantial audiences alongside Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during their ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour, which has visited both Republican and Democratic states.
Meanwhile, Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MD) will take on the duties of acting ranking member following Connolly’s exit. In a statement, Lynch affirmed that Connolly endorses him should he decide to pursue the position permanently, as reported by the Examiner.
Additional candidates under consideration for the role include Representatives Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Ro Khanna (D-CA), according to the report.
Last month, a survey by a Democratic polling organization revealed that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was significantly behind ‘AOC’ in a potential primary contest. The Data for Progress survey shows that Ocasio-Cortez leads Schumer by 19 points in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary.
Conducted between March 26 and 31, the survey questioned 767 likely Democratic primary voters in New York regarding their support in a potential primary between Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez. The results were notable: 55% favored Ocasio-Cortez, while only 36% supported Schumer.
These results were consistent, as the poll indicated that Schumer had the highest disapproval rating among all Democratic figures surveyed, while Ocasio-Cortez was one of the most favored, only behind Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
