House Dems privately brood about shedding committee leaders

• Both lawmakers are widely admired by colleagues, but their back-to-back announcements — just months after winning hard-fought leadership races — left some raw emotions, particularly towards Craig.
• Craig, unlike Connolly, plans to serve out the remainder of her term as ranking member through 2026, her office told Axios.
• "I get a little pissed at these people who are running for the Senate who worked hard to become a ranker and now are about to leave," said one House Democrat, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.
• Said another: "I think it's irresponsible for someone to run for leadership and then decide three months later they're going to go do something else."

State of play: Democrats are now engaged in yet another inter-generational proxy fight as Oversight Committee members past and present position themselves to run for Connolly's role.

• Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), the 70-year-old senior member serving as "interim" ranking member until Connolly steps down, has said he is running.
• Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44, is expected to mount a bid, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), 35, considering one as well. Unlike the low-profile, moderate Lynch, both are considered progressive icons.

What we're hearing: The first House Democrat who spoke to Axios anonymously said that a major factor in Ocasio-Cortez's deliberations is her recent turn from political stardom to superstardom.

• The New York Democrat failed in her bid to lead the Oversight Committee last year, but has found a second wind headlining massive rallies across the country with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
• "The difference from the last time is AOC's profile has significantly increased," the lawmaker who spoke anonymously said.
• They added: "I don't know if her hopes are on the Senate now or something else."

Between the lines: Even some younger lawmakers who want to see older committee leaders step aside expressed concerns that Craig's run could create obstacles for members like Ocasio-Cortez who are even suspected of eyeing higher office.

• The second House Democrat who spoke anonymously said that, going forward, House leadership candidates should be asked, "Do you see yourself doing this for a long period of time?"
• "I think that'll be used as an excuse by the people who want to prevent mobility by newer members," said a third House Democrat.
• Ocasio-Cortez, asked about these fears, told Axios: "There is no race right now, so I'm not going to be commenting on any of that."

Yes, but: Other lawmakers leapt to Craig's defense, noting that Sen. Tina Smith's (D-Minn.) retirement was unexpected and arguing that having ranking members move on isn't inherently a bad thing.

• Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), one of the younger lawmakers who wants the party to make way for its next generation, told Axios: "We just need change. If this is more change, then that's fine too."
• "As long as she continues doing a great job, which I think she is, I don't see a conflict," a House Democrat on the Agriculture Committee told Axios.
• A fifth House Democrat who spoke anonymously told Axios: "Who among us is not at risk of seeking higher office, right? I feel like that's not an exclusively younger member challenge."

Reality check: It is not unheard of for new committee ranking members to jump at opportunities for higher office.

• One notable example: Tim Walz, who ran successfully for Minnesota governor during his first term as the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
• Far from falling out of his party's good graces, Walz was tapped by Kamala Harris as her running mate last year.

What to watch: Some members of the Agriculture Committee already have their eye on replacing Craig in 2027, Axios has learned.

• Vice ranking member Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) is considering a bid, a source familiar with her thinking told Axios.