Rep. Gerry Connolly Monday stated he’ll step apart “soon” as rating Democratic member of the Home Oversight Committee attributable to a setback in his battle with most cancers, a transfer that may depart open a key congressional spot that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beforehand made a robust bid for.
“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” Connolly, 75, wrote in a observe to constituents. “I will be stepping down as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee soon.”
“With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years,” the nine-term lawmaker added.
Potential candidates to succeed Connolly embrace Ocasio-Cortez, together with different younger, outspoken and impressive lawmakers like California representatives Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia or Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Ocasio-Cortez is seen as a potential front-runner as a result of she ran a robust race towards him in an inside Democratic election for the place that’s seen as a key perch to push again towards the controversial second-term agenda of President Trump.
She didn’t instantly touch upon the looming emptiness on the oversight panel, which may give her an much more distinguished platform to talk out towards Trump and for progressive insurance policies.
She misplaced to Connolly 131 to 84 in a secret-ballot vote at a Democratic caucus assembly in December.
After the defeat, Ocasio-Cortez determined to modify to the Vitality and Commerce Committee, so it’s not clear if she may attempt to bounce again to oversight and make a brand new run for the soon-to-be vacant rating member place.
The third-term lawmaker, who represents components of Queens and the Bronx, has generated 2028 presidential buzz with a profitable string of rallies in Western purple states alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Connolly took over from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) after Raskin efficiently ousted Rep. Jerrold Nadler from his put up as the highest Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.
Taken collectively, the musical chairs quantities to one thing of a generational altering of the guard as Democrats search to show the web page on ageing leaders like Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer.
Within the Home, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries grabbed the reins from ex-Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi two years in the past.
The intraparty wrangling has additionally hit the Democratic Nationwide Committee, the place leaders are pressuring Hogg to drop a push to major some Democratic incumbents deemed ineffective and ageing.
Initially Printed: April 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM EDT
