Lee Falls Short of Goal, but Pelosi Elevates to Co-Chair

After taking back the majority, House Democrats have been waging several highly competitive internal battles for representation on various committees and leadership positions. Along with the opportunity to be elevated into the public limelight, some prestigious positions have proven quite quarrelsome.

Despite losing the nomination for Democratic chair after being defeated by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) has landed a co-chair spot on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

Largely in thanks to the next expected Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Lee will get the opportunity to supervise several other committee nominations as well as direct certain policy goals for the House majority.

Although the nomination still needs to be approved by the other committee members, which will undoubtedly happen, Lee will join fellow California Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-East Bay) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn), as co-chairs.

Pelosi said that Lee’s addition as co-chair was only right as the “historic size, energy and diversity” of the newly elected Democratic majority needed more representation.

At age 72, Lee has been a political powerhouse within California politics and a shining star for most progressives. In 1996 she was the first African American woman elected to the State Senate from Northern California before transitioning into federal office two years later.

Unfortunately for Lee, her leadership has fallen short as 48-year-old Jeffries has been targeted as a better fit for the party’s future.