House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told lawmakers on a caucus call Wednesday she was leaning toward pushing the leadership elections until after the Thanksgiving holiday. | AP Photo House Dems may delay leadership elections

House Democrats likely will be picking their leaders for next Congress later than usual this year as they head into the waning weeks of the election feeling bold about a double-digit seat pickup — and maybe even reclaiming the majority.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told lawmakers on a caucus call Wednesday she was leaning toward pushing the leadership elections until after the Thanksgiving holiday, although an exact date is unclear.


Pelosi, while predicting a “large freshman class,” circulated a letter to members late last week announcing new member orientation would be divided over two weeks — the weeks of Nov. 14 and Nov. 28. Since new members have a say in the upcoming leadership team, elections are held when they are in Washington.

A Democratic aide said no official decision has been made, adding it’s possible the elections could start the first week of freshman orientation and wrap up the second week.

The aide also noted that the week after Thanksgiving is only the second week Congress is in session after the Election Day and leadership elections were held during the second week last cycle.

As Donald Trump’s campaign continues its free fall, Democrats are feeling bullish about their chances of taking back the House — an unthinkable idea just last month — even if they continue to maintain a cautious front publicly.

Trump, who will face off against Hillary Clinton Wednesday night in the last presidential debate, has continued near daily attacks on his party’s leaders, most notably House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

On the caucus call, Pelosi predicted the outcome of the election could be “single digit either way — either way it will be bad for Paul Ryan,” according to a source on the call.

Earlier in the morning during a separate Democratic leadership confab, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he thinks they have “a real chance to take back the House,” according to a source on the call.

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