NANCY Pelosi has launched a bid to keep her House Speaker post even as Democrats consider fresh alternatives. The House Speaker launched her official bid to keep her post for another two years on Thursday. ⚠️ Read our US election live blog for the latest news & updates Pelosi has held onto the gavel since […]
NANCY Pelosi has launched a bid to keep her House Speaker post even as Democrats consider fresh alternatives.
The House Speaker launched her official bid to keep her post for another two years on Thursday.
Read our US election live blog for the latest news & updates
Pelosi has held onto the gavel since 2003 and has made it clear that she wants to remain in the House.
She sent a letter to her fellow Democrats urging them for their support.
“Out vision for the next two years must be built on the success of Democratic House Majority in the 116th Congress,” Pelosi wrote.
“And to harness the extraordinary visions, values and vibrancy of our Caucus to secure the progress that the American people deserve. In that spirit, I am writing to request your support to be re-elected as Speaker.
“I do so with the upmost respect for the diverse viewpoints in our Democratic Caucus, the gravity of this role the urgency of the challenges ahead,” Pelosi added.
“I also do so with the great joy and appreciation to so many of you who have already offered your support.”
Democrats continue to hold the majority in the lower chamber, but they lost at least seven incumbent seats after Tuesday election results.
As of Friday morning, Democrats had not knocked off a single Republican seeking reelection and a new wave of progressive lawmakers will join the ultra-liberal House members known as “The Squad” next term.
Four progressive Pelosi critics – Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Oscaio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts – all won their reelection, and are likely to push for the speaker’s removal.
The ultra-liberal House lawmakers will also welcome new progressive House members, including Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamal Bowman of New York, Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres, also from New York.
In her letter, the House Speaker said she’ll be contacting members individually “to get the benefit of your thinking fresh from your campaign trail.”
“Our Caucus is blessed with many diverse and entrepreneurial perspectives,” she wrote.
As of Friday, the party breakdown stands at 208 for Democrats to 193 for Republics with 34 races yet to be called.
Republicans believe as the counting continues they can flip more seats and their ranks could balloon up to 208 members or more.
However, there appears to be no threat to Pelosi’s bid to retain the gavel.
The House Speaker has the overwhelming support of her caucus, and has gain widespread praise over the last two years for how she dealt with President Donald Trump.
She told her colleagues: “We lost races we shouldn’t have lost. Defund the police almost cost me my race because of an attack ad. Don’t say socialism ever again. We need to get back to basics.”
Pelosi needs the majority of votes on the House floor to win the speakership.
