Dems Looking to Future of Leadership Beyond Pelosi

Democrats are looking to the future of their leadership, looking beyond Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the party grapples with the likelihood of losing its majority in the House.

The race to succeed the House speaker might already be underway. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met in Clyburn’s office during the summer congressional recess, according to Politico. Jeffries had reportedly called the meeting after overhearing Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) might be interested in taking over Pelosi’s position — the job Jeffries himself has been eyeing.

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“There’s nothing I would ever do to impede the progress of our up-and-coming young Democrats, and I see him as an up-and-coming young Democrat,” Clyburn told the outlet about Jeffries. “He knows that. I didn’t have to tell him that — but I did.”

It has remained unclear whether Clyburn or House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer would vie to replace the House speaker, which would complicate Jeffries’s path to success. However, Clyburn’s comments indicate he would step aside for Jeffries, paving the way for the New York Democrat to become the first black lawmaker to serve as a congressional leader.

Clyburn’s support would all but ensure Jeffries’s path to succeeding Pelosi, setting the stage for a shake-up in Democratic House leadership. But replacing the House speaker will not be an easy task.

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After becoming speaker in 2018, when Democrats seized control of the House, Pelosi worked to ensure the party defended its majority, becoming the House’s most prolific fundraiser and a well-recognized face throughout the nation. Since entering House leadership in 2002, Pelosi has raked in about $1.25 billion for Democratic candidates, according to the party. A large portion of that, about $42.7 million, was raised in the third quarter of this year alone.

Pelosi has single-handedly raised $276 million throughout the midterm cycle, appearing at more than 400 campaign events. Many of these appearances have poured cash into must-win races for Democrats in which a last-minute burst of cash could help them over the finish line.