Scoop: Rep. Trahan seeks to hold onto Dem leadership role

• House Democrats will hold their leadership elections on Nov. 19, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) announced last week.

Driving the news: Trahan announced her reelection bid in a letter to her Democratic colleagues, writing that there is "no question that we have a lot to learn" following Democrats' loss" in the 2024 election.

• "The threat to our constituents from a Republican trifecta led by President-elect Donald Trump is grave, and we must fast track that learning process so we can reposition ourselves to mitigate the damage and be victorious in 2026," she added.
• Trahan argued she can "contribute to that effort" by "improving how we interact with the people we represent, and deploying our message effectively."

Zoom out: While Jeffries, Aguilar and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) are all expected to be unopposed on Nov. 19, Democrats will have at least one competition race on their hands.

• Reps. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) are all vying to serve as Battleground Leadership Representative, a role advocating for swing-district House Democrats.

• Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) has also reached out to colleagues about running to succeed Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) as the Caucus Leadership Representative, which represents members with five terms or fewer.
• And Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), the current chair of the DPCC, is expected to run for reelection to her role.