Nadler drops out of House Judiciary Democratic race, endorses Raskin

Rep. Jerry Nadler has dropped out of the race for ranking member on the powerful House Judiciary Committee, according a Dear Colleague letter sent Wednesday. The decision comes after Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) launched his bid to unseat Nadler as the panel's top Democrat.

"As our country faces the return of Donald Trump, and the renewed threats to our democracy and our way of life that he represents, I am very confident that Jamie would ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger," Nadler wrote, endorsing Raskin as his replacement.

"Although I will not be Ranking Member, I will still be an active member of the Committee, and I am eager to work alongside its new leadership in the battle to protect our most vulnerable communities and our most precious democratic ideals," the New York Democrat added.

Nadler’s news comes after Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who was running for ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, bowed out of the race after Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) launched his bid. Several lawmakers are also running for top Democratic spot on the Agriculture Committee against ranking member David Scott (D-Ga.).

Raskin, in a post on X after Nadler's announcement, said "Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant. His dogged defense of civil rights and civil liberties is a great inspiration to our people. I am honored and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead."

Nadler, the dean of his state’s House delegation, has been the top Judiciary Committee Democrat since 2017. He served as a manager of Trump’s first impeachment.