WASHINGTON — Three Democratic legislators said NBC News they have spoken with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who has started telling her fellow members of the House that she is vying to be the leading Democrat on the powerful Oversight Committee.
During voting on the House floor Thursday night, Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive celebrity known by her nickname AOC, informed at least two of those lawmakers that she is putting herself forward to lead Democrats on the committee. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, informed a third Democratic member this week that she was certain she was running.
As the leading Oversight Democrat, she enters the campaign against Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., 74, a senior member of the committee. Whether the Democratic caucus still favors seniority or genuinely wants generational change will be determined by the contest.
Although he declined to comment on their private discussions, Ocasio-Cortez’s committee colleague and fellow progressive leader, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., supported her for the position.
In a quick interview, Khanna stated that AOC is very cooperative on the committee and supports all members. She has been the vice chair of this committee for two years, and in order to implement a working-class agenda, progressives must take the reins of power in our nation and Congress. I’m completely devoted to her.
As Democrats attempt to oppose the new Trump administration and ride high on the president-elect and his supporters, who have promised to exact revenge on opponents and disregard normal political conventions in Washington, the Oversight Committee will be crucial. The new Oversight chairwoman would have extensive authority to subpoena and look into the Trump administration if Democrats regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.
The position became available after the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., 77, was insurgently challenged by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., 61, who had held the position this Congress. With Raskin on the rise, Nadler withdrew from the Judiciary campaign and gave Raskin his support, effectively securing the position.
Requests for reaction from Ocasio-Cortez’s top aides were not immediately answered. On Wednesday, however, Ocasio-Cortez seemed to be leaning toward a campaign for the position of Oversight.
I would definitely be interested in the job. She mentioned that she was talking to her coworkers a lot. Additionally, I believe it is crucial that we fight for the rights of regular working Americans and thoroughly prepare for the Trump government.
She went on to say that Gerry Connolly is someone she greatly admires and respects.
He is a truly amazing leader, and I believe that we both contribute to the committee’s success, which is mostly due to our combined strengths. She declared, “I adore Gerry.”
Connolly told reporters on Wednesday his Democratic colleagues would face a difficult decision if he were to run against Ocasio-Cortez: He has a lot more experience. She rose to political prominence in 2018 after defeating New Yorker Joe Crowley, the Democratic caucus leader at the time, in a primary. He was first elected to Congress in 2008.
However, Connolly is also coping with health problems. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer shortly after last month’s election.
“I don’t think it’s generational. Experience, record, and capability are what matter, and that’s how I need to portray it,” Connolly told reporters on Wednesday. Although she is a fresh talent with a lot of potential, I am the only candidate who has actually [headed] a subcommittee. That, in my opinion, is really significant.
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