The New York progressive’s defeat was a counterpoint to generational change in the Democratic ranks, as House members chose younger members for top posts on other committees.
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Ocasio-Cortez Loses Vote to Be the Top Democrat on Oversight Panel
The New York progressive’s defeat was a counterpoint to generational change in the Democratic ranks, as House members chose younger members to lead other committees.
"... Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, lost to Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, 74, an eight-term Democrat.
... But on other panels, younger lawmakers on Tuesday beat out veteran leaders, a departure from the norm for Democrats, who for decades have largely abided by an unwritten rule that seniority trumps everything when it comes to meting out power.
Representative Angie Craig, Democrat of Minnesota, was elected by her colleagues to be the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee. Ms. Craig, 52, will replace Representative David Scott of Georgia, 79.
And Representative Jared Huffman of California, 60, on Tuesday won the internal race for the top spot on the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Huffman will replace Representative Raúl Grijalva, 76, a progressive who was his party’s leader on the committee for a decade.
“It’s like the fountain of youth — we found it!” Mr. Huffman joked of Congress, the only place where 60 might be considered young. “I want to run the committee in my own way.”
The top spot on the oversight panel was open because Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, 62, the former ranking Democrat there, challenged Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, 77, for the top post on the Judiciary Committee, forcing his onetime mentor to withdraw from the race once it became clear he did not have enough support. Mr. Raskin was expected to be formally named as that committee’s ranking member later on Tuesday...."
