House Dems face surprise 11th hour leadership battle
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Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Debbie Dingell. Photos: Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images, William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images.
House Democrats are poised to have a last-minute fight on their hands over a key leadership role charged with steering the party's political messaging.
Why it matters: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and his two top deputies are all slated to run for reelection unopposed, making this likely the most contested role in senior leadership.
- Democrats are holding their leadership elections on Nov. 19.
Driving the news: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) plans to challenge Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) for Dingell's chairmanship of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, multiple sources told Axios.
- Dingell, the widow of longtime Rep. John Dingell, first entered Congress in 2015 and was elected DPCC chair last year when Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) left the role to become assistant Democratic leader.
- Crockett, who is entering her second term, is the freshman class representative to leadership and became highly visible this year as a loyal defender of President Biden and Vice President Harris.
- Crockett's plans were first reported by Politico.
What we're hearing: One House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Axios that Crockett told them she is running for the post.
- Dingell and Crockett discussed the matter in a walk-and-talk in the Capitol basement on Thursday.
- "We're friends, we respect each other," Dingell told Axios afterwards.
- Dingell said in two years, when DPCC co-chairs Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) are term limited, she plans to voluntarily step aside from the role — but not before.
The intrigue: Crockett made a rare appearance at a Congressional Progressive Caucus meeting on Thursday, participating in a discussion about the 2024 election results, three sources familiar with the matter told Axios.
- The appearance "was clearly ... to kick off her candidacy," said one House progressive.
What to watch: A senior House Democrat told Axios the race could be "highly competitive," noting Crockett "was everywhere in this [election] cycle helping members."
- But a second House progressive suggested that Dingell has stronger relationships with members and is likely the favorite.
- "I don't take anything for granted," Dingell said.
- Crockett declined to comment.
Zoom out: Escobar told Axios she is "not running" for reelection to the DPCC co-chairmanship.
- Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the youngest member of the House, plans to run to replace her, his office told Axios.
- There is also a competitive race for battleground leadership representative, with Reps. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Susie Lee (D-Nevada) and Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) all running.
- And Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the current freshman class president, is running for a role representing members who have served five terms or fewer.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with details on additional leadership races.
