House Democrats, reeling from a brutal 2024 election cycle in which Republicans won control of the White House and all of Congress, are considering generational shake-ups of key committee posts.
In a caucus that has traditionally awarded committee leadership posts based on seniority, several more junior House Democrats are looking to challenge the status quo.
The latest move came Monday when Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat, announced he would run for ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York has held the top Democratic slot on Judiciary since 2017 and is running again.
Democrats do not have term limits for committee leaders, unlike Republicans, who limit their members to three two-year terms atop a single committee.
Past Democratic Caucus efforts to impose term limits have repeatedly failed and challenges to sitting committee leaders are rare. But that has changed this year as Democrats wallow in their election losses and seek strong leaders to take on Republicans and the Trump administration.
Mr. Raskin, who will turn 62 next week, said in a “dear colleague” letter announcing his plans that he has “respect and boundless admiration” for Mr. Nadler, 77, and that he would turn to him for counsel if he is elected to succeed him.
His pitch focused on the need to counter the “cavalier lawlessness” of President-elect Donald Trump and the Judiciary Committee’s role in that.
“This is where we will wage our front-line defense of the freedoms and rights of the people, the integrity of the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the security of our most precious birthright possessions: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and democracy itself,” Mr. Raskin said.
The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Nadler’s office for comment.
In announcing his reelection run for ranking member, Mr. Nadler said he would “stand as a bulwark against the MAGA Majority’s dangerous agenda.”
“As a New Yorker, I have stood up to Donald Trump my entire career. Prior to his entering politics, I worked to prevent him from abusing taxpayer dollars to line his own pockets,” Mr. Nadler said. “When he became President, I led the Judiciary Committee’s efforts to hold him accountable for his various abuses of power, culminating in two historic impeachments. I understand his playbook. I am well prepared to help thwart his plans to be a ‘Dictator on Day One.’”
Democrats will hold elections for their committee leadership posts later this month.
Mr. Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, served as the lead House impeachment manager for the second Senate trial of Mr. Trump as he faced charges and was ultimately acquitted of inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Mr. Raskin also served on the Jan. 6 select committee that investigated the planning and response to the riots.
Another longtime Democratic committee leader announced plans Monday to step down rather than run against a more junior colleague.
“After much thought, I have decided that it is the right moment to pass the torch as top Democrat on the House Natural Resource Committee for the 119th Congress,” Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who has held the post for more than 20 years, said in a statement. “I do not make this decision lightly, as being elected Ranking Member stands as the honor of my professional career.”
Mr. Grijalva, 76, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, cited his recovery as part of his decision. He has already announced he will not run for reelection in 2026.
“I will continue to focus on improving my health, strengthening my mobility, and serving my district in what is likely to be a time of unprecedented challenge for our community,” Mr. Grijalva said.
Rep. Jared Huffman of California had already announced plans to challenge him for the ranking member post.
Mr. Huffman, 60, said in a statement that he looks forward to working closely with Mr. Grijalva and plans to ask the Democratic Caucus to name him ranking member emeritus.
“Rep. Grijalva leaves big shoes to fill, and I will now dedicate myself to building on his legacy of principled and productive leadership,” Mr. Huffman said.
The generational divides among Democrats are also playing out on the House Agriculture Committee, where ranking member David Scott faces two challengers for his post. The 79-year-old has served as the top Democrat on the committee since 2021.
Reps. Jim Costa, 72, California Democrat, and Angie Craig, 52, Minnesota Democrat, are running against Mr. Scott. Both cited the election results in their pitches to colleagues last month.
“With the incoming return of Donald Trump to the presidency, our caucus needs a leader who will fight to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), defend the historic investments we made through the Inflation Reduction Act and bring a strong Democratic message back to rural America,” Mr. Costa said.
“Right now, I worry that too many rural Americans don’t trust that Democrats have their best interests at heart,” Ms. Craig said. “It’s my mission to work with you to help change their minds.”
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.