AOC loses key vote in House Oversight race to Gerry Connolly
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. Photo: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images.
House Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee voted to recommend Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, several sources familiar with the vote told Axios.
Why it matters: It's a huge blow to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) hopes of leading the high-profile panel, though the full Democratic caucus still has to vote to approve steering's pick.
- It is rare for the caucus to buck the suggestion of steering – which is closely aligned with Democratic leadership – but it has happened before.
What we're hearing: Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez 34 to 27 on Monday, according to multiple lawmakers present.
- Ocasio-Cortez said after the vote that she will continue to contest the role when it goes to a vote of the full caucus.
Zoom out: The battle between Ocasio-Cortez, 35, and Connolly, 74, came as several committee ranking members have fallen to challenges from relatively younger colleagues.
- On Monday, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), 52, defeated 79-year-old Agriculture Committee ranking member David Scott (D-Ga.) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), 72, to lead the Agriculture panel.
What they're saying: Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), a Connolly ally, acknowledged Connolly's greater seniority likely played a role in his win but argued "it wasn't just that."
- "Everyone sort of made the case that they would be the best to help change the message across the country. ... He's a very good communicator," said Beyer.
- One House Democrat aligned with Ocasio-Cortez told Axios that steering is "made up of the most senior members," making it not her most receptive venue.
What to watch: Lawmakers said there is still a chance for the caucus to reject steering's recommendation, with Beyer acknowledging the vote was "really just advisory ... we're not the final decider."
- There is precedent: The full caucus voted in 2014 to shrug off steering's recommendation that Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) lead the Energy and Commerce Committee and elected Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) instead.
- "The majority of votes are in the caucus. We're somewhere between 50 and 70 in [steering], but then it's going to move up to a much larger 215," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). "The numbers could move. They all have a chance."
- Said the Ocasio-Cortez ally: "She can win tomorrow."
Go deeper: AOC fights on for Oversight role as race is blown wide open
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
