WASHINGTON ― Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) won’t run to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, she told reporters on Monday.

Ocasio-Cortez sought to be the highest-ranking Democrat on the high-profile committee in December but was defeated by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) in an internal election by a vote of 131-84.

Connolly, 75, announced last week he’s stepping down due to a resurgence of esophageal cancer, prompting much speculation AOC would vie for the job even though she left oversight in favor of a spot on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“It’s actually clear to me that the underlying dynamics in the caucus have not shifted with respect to seniority as much as I think would be necessary, and so I believe I’ll be staying put at energy and commerce,” Ocasio-Cortez said during House votes on Monday evening, according to NBC News.

The 35-year-old progressive said she’s been flattered by support she’s received from colleagues, but that she thinks Democrats would probably still favor a more senior member.

“I think the result would largely be the same at this point for me,” she said.

Since last year Democrats have engaged in a simmering debate about not just the seniority system, in which top positions go to longer-tenured members, but age ― specifically the question of whether there are too many older Democrats in charge. Former president Joe Biden’s faltering debate performance against President Donald Trump, and Biden’s subsequent decision to leave the presidential race, helped stir the pot.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) declined to say earlier on Monday if he would support Ocasio-Cortez for the oversight position.

“There will be a number of strong candidates who will move forward. Representative Ocasio Cortez will of course be a very compelling candidate were she to make that decision to run,” Jeffries said at a press conference.

If Democrats retake the House in next year’s midterm elections, the top Democrat in the oversight position would lead investigations, wield subpoena power and likely become one of the most visible antagonists of the Trump administration.

Ocasio-Cortez has made waves on her own so far this year, however, traveling the country to hold huge rallies railing against “oligarchy” with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) has stepped up to fill Connolly’s shoes and has said he’d like to formally hold the ranking member position.

Asked last week if Democrats should have picked her in the first place, Ocasio-Cortez wouldn’t go there.

“Well, I ran once,” she told HuffPost.