The race to succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly as top panel Democrat could split the Congressional Black Caucus.
By Nicholas Wu and Hailey Fuchs
Rep. Jasmine Crockett is telling fellow House Democrats she plans to run for her party’s Oversight Committee slot, plowing ahead with a bid after wavering last week, according to a text to lawmakers obtained by POLITICO.
“I believe in deference & frankly, the institution, but I recognize that the walls of this institution are collapsing around us, and we are living in EXTRAORDINARY times, which call for an extraordinary response which is why I will seek the position of ranker for the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform,” the Texas Democrat wrote to lawmakers. “I am asking for your consideration because I possess the merit to serve in THIS moment.”
Crockett told POLITICO last week she was rethinking whether to seek the top job after Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) ramped up his own quiet outreach for the position. She cited seniority concerns and the potential that the Congressional Black Caucus could be divided.
Mfume, meanwhile, is also reaching out to colleagues about his interest in the slot. In those messages, he invoked late Oversight Chair Elijah Cummings, a civil rights legend and fellow Baltimorean who led the committee during Trump’s first term, according to a copy of the message obtained by POLITICO.
“I am prepared to meet that moment, as my lifelong friend and predecessor Elijah Cummings did under the first twisted Trump Administration,” Mfume said. “As the main investigative House Committee, it’s important to aggressively push back now against Trump’s daily encroachment on Congressional powers.”
Reps. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Robert Garcia of California have also had private conversations with colleagues about the post, according to three people familiar with the situation.
The escalating outreach from lawmakers comes amid a quiet contest for the ranking member position currently held by Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who’s said he will step aside amid a battle with cancer.
