Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? MORE (D-Calif.) has formally endorsed California state Rep. Christy Smith's bid to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Katie Hill Katherine (Katie) Lauren HillObama counsels NBA players on forming a social justice committee Republicans cast Trump as best choice for women House GOP campaign chairman insists party will win back majority MORE (D-Calif.).

Smith has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Hill, who resigned in October following a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships with staffers.

“California State Assemblywoman Christy Smith is a proven leader. We need her in Congress so that she can help advance our for the people agenda in Washington. I am proud to endorse Christy Smith because she will work to fight corruption, lower the cost of prescription drugs, fully fund public schools and build a strong middle-class economy that works for all Americans,” Pelosi said in a statement shared by Smith’s campaign.

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Smith launched her campaign for Hill’s vacated seat just one day after the lawmaker announced her resignation.

Hill flipped the seat from Republican Rep. Steve Knight Stephen (Steve) Thomas KnightThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The American Investment Council - Pelosi touts T bill as Fauci stresses go-slow openings The Hill's Campaign Report: A Los Angeles House seat is in play for Republicans Democrats on edge over California special election nail-biter MORE in 2018, and the March 3 special election to replace her has already drawn several GOP challengers, including Knight.

Smith has already received endorsements from several prominent Democrats, including both California senators, Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinHawley warns Schumer to steer clear of Catholic-based criticisms of Barrett Senate GOP set to vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick before election Trump taps Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court, setting up confirmation sprint MORE and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act What Kamala Harris' VP nomination means to us Harris slams Trump's Supreme Court pick as an attempt to 'destroy the Affordable Care Act' MORE.

In the special election, a candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote will serve out the rest of Hill’s term, which runs through January 2021. If no candidate clears the 50 percent threshold, the top two will face off in a May runoff.

The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur also filed last month to run for the seat. The left-leaning commentator aligns himself with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, and in 2016 endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) in the Democratic presidential primary.