Special Poll
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is encountering significant resistance, including from House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), as she vies to become the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Despite being viewed as the favorite over Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) by many senior Democrats, the outcome of the race remains uncertain.
The contest reflects a broader generational shift in the Democratic caucus, with younger lawmakers challenging septuagenarian leaders for influential roles. According to one senior Democrat, there is concern among members about the precedent these challenges set for the party’s future leadership structure.
Pelosi has been actively lobbying colleagues to support Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez, according to two House Democrats familiar with her outreach. Connolly, 74, and Ocasio-Cortez, 35, are vying to replace current Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Pelosi’s advocacy for Connolly was first reported by Punchbowl News, though her office has declined to comment publicly.
A Democrat familiar with Ocasio-Cortez’s whip count believes she has strong backing from most members of the Oversight Committee. This support is likely to carry weight with the Democratic Steering Committee, which will meet to make its recommendations. Another House Democrat expressed confidence in her chances, suggesting that Connolly’s recent cancer diagnosis may work against him. However, the final decision will rest with the full Democratic caucus, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Younger Democrats have been leveraging the urgency of the incoming Trump administration to push for leadership changes. Jamie Raskin successfully prompted Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), 74, to step down. Similarly, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), 60, ousted Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), 76, although Huffman now faces a challenge from Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), who is 45. On the Agriculture Committee, David Scott (D-Ga.), 79, is expected to lose his position to either Jim Costa (D-Calif.), 72, or Angie Craig (D-Minn.), 52.
Pelosi has previously indicated support for some insurgent challenges against long-serving ranking members. She has also been advocating for Costa, another Californian, according to sources familiar with her efforts. These developments highlight ongoing shifts in leadership dynamics as younger members seek to assert greater influence in the party.