Pelosi’s Blue Wave Could Wash Her Out

Nancy Pelosi’s Speaker of the House bid appears to be in serious jeopardy after a group of sixteen Democrats released a letter opposing her leadership.

Going public today, the letter—supported by 11 incumbents and four members-elect, plus a challenger in Utah who remains locked in recount—puts major pressure on the San Francisco Democrat as the group vows to make a change at the top.

“Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington,” the letter says. “We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.”

Leading her party for over 16 years, this shot at Pelosi imperils her chances at becoming Speaker as she can only afford to lose 14 to 19 Democratic votes on the House floor when it comes time for Congress to pick its speaker in January.

According to the LA Times, “Pelosi has said she remains confident that she has the support of the majority of her party to become speaker again and has suggested the effort to oust her is rooted partly in sexism. The members opposing Pelosi deny this; they argue they won the majority on the promise of change.”

The anti-Pelosi train has been gaining momentum. However, there doesn’t appear to be another candidate who matches Pelosi’s ability to take on Republican Party leaders such as President Trump or Mitch McConnell. Furthermore, no one else has officially announced an opposition run. Potential challenger Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) has kept her options open, but she did not sign the letters. Part of this may have to do with the fact that Pelosi and Fudge met in private last Friday.

Members listed on the letter include; Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Bill Foster of Illinois, Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, Kathleen Rice and Brian Higgins of New York, Tim Ryan of Ohio, Linda Sanchez of California, Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Filemon Vela of Texas; Reps.-elect Anthony Brindisi and Max Rose of New York, Joe Cunningham of South Carolina and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.

A secret ballot will be held on Nov. 28 between Democrats before the new House votes in full in January.