Ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) dropped out of the race to run for another term as the top Democrat on the powerful House Judiciary Committee, paving the way for Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to ascend to the position.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to members and obtained by the Washington Examiner, Nadler said Raskin is one of the Democratic caucus’s “most talented rising stars” and has proven himself “an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.”

“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 said.

“Therefore, I have decided not to run for Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress,” the New York Democrat wrote, going on to say he plans to continue being an active member of the committee.

Raskin is the only Democrat who has thrown his hat into the ring for the top Democratic spot on the Judiciary Committee. When Democrats had control of the House, Raskin served as the lead prosecutor in then-President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.

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With Raskin leaving his position as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, several Democrats are considering entering the race to replace him. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has officially launched a bid, while Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) have said they are interested in or “considering” the position.

Other speculated challengers include Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).