AOC Loses Bid To Become Top Oversight Dem

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a high-profile member of the leftist “Squad,” lost her bid to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee in the next session of Congress.

Democrats chose Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), who was reportedly backed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), to become the ranking member of the panel that will remain in GOP control next year.

The final tally on Tuesday was reportedly 131 votes for Connolly and 84 votes for Ocasio-Cortez, a result matching the recommendation of the Democrats’ Steering and Policy Committee.

“I thank my colleagues for their support and the confidence they’ve placed in me to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Committee,” Connolly said in a statement posted to X.

I thank my colleagues for their support and the confidence they've placed in me to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Committee.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/lOJfVZ1gC3

— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) December 17, 2024

Ocasio-Cortez, currently the vice-ranking member of the Oversight Committee, had sought to move up amid reports of a push within the Democratic Party to allow younger members to lead committees.

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The 35-year-old famously upset then-Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) — the No. 4 Democrat in the House at the time — in a 2018 primary and became a leading figure in leftist circles.

Punchbowl News’ Max Cohen said in a post to X: “Connolly’s pitch was his intense focus on the panel and how he would deliver based on his experience. That won out over AOC’s message tailored at fighting for the working class.”

Connolly, 74, has served on the oversight panel since joining Congress in 2009. Last month, Connolly revealed he had cancer of the esophagus with no symptoms and pledged to keep working while undergoing treatment.

In a letter to colleagues announcing his bid for the ranking member spot, Connolly spoke about pushing back on Republicans and touted his support of President Joe Biden during a corruption-focused impeachment inquiry.

“We must expose and dismantle bad-faith Republican efforts to promote conspiracy theories, intimidate witnesses, and undermine democratic processes,” Connolly wrote.

He added: “I’ve done this effectively in my work on the Committee in opposing the impeachment of President Biden and while serving as an appointee on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.”

Connolly will take on the role being left behind by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who opted to instead campaign for the ranking member position on the House Judiciary Committee.