They are losing power.
Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, made public on Wednesday his decision to step down from his leadership role within the House Democratic Caucus, while also indicating support for a potential successor within his ranks.
In a formal statement, Clyburn, aged 83, communicated his intention to relinquish his position as Assistant Democratic Leader to Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He expressed confidence in Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and the entire leadership team to continue prioritizing the welfare of the people over political agendas.
This announcement triggered a series of leadership adjustments within the party. Rep. Joe Neguse, aged 39, representing Colorado, emerged as a prominent contender to fill Clyburn’s void, according to a source within House Democratic leadership. Neguse, recognized as a rising star in the party, notably served as one of the impeachment managers during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump and stands as one of the few Black leaders in the Democratic Caucus.
Following this development, Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, reportedly expressed her intention to vie for Neguse’s current role as chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), should Neguse ascend to a higher position. Escobar, aged 54, a former county judge from El Paso and a member of the Hispanic Caucus, aims to take on the responsibility of overseeing the DPCC’s operations as chair, a position colloquially referred to as “the chair of chairs.”
Despite his decision to step down from his leadership role, Clyburn affirmed his candidacy for re-election to represent the Sixth Congressional District, a seat he has held since 1992. He emphasized the current challenges facing America and the imperative to safeguard the nation’s pursuit of “a more perfect Union.”
Clyburn’s departure from leadership marks a notable shift within the Democratic Party, particularly as seasoned figures like Pelosi and Hoyer, along with President Biden, face questions about their continued tenure in light of their age. Conversely, on the Republican side, Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee announced his decision not to seek re-election, echoing a sentiment of rejuvenation within the halls of Congress.
