The report comes as some Democrats criticized Pelosi after the party suffered several recent special election losses, including in Georgia this week. Democrats invested some $30 million in the costly House race, but Republican Karen Handel ended up defeating Democrat Jon Ossoff.

The group, which is also led by representatives Kathleen Rice of New York and Tim Ryan of Ohio, was slated to meet Thursday to discuss replacing Pelosi, according to Politico. (Ryan himself mounted an unsuccessful bid against Pelosi after the 2016 presidential election.)

Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts is one of the House Democrats leading the charge to try to force Nancy Pelosi from her minority leader position, according to a Politico report .


The report that Moulton has a hand in trying to oust Pelosi shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. After the election was called Tuesday, Moulton said on Twitter that the special election “better be a wake up call for Democrats — business as usual isn’t working.” He also wrote that his party needs “a genuinely new message.”

#Ossof Race better be a wake up call for Democrats - business as usual isn't working. Time to stop rehashing 2016 and talk about the future. — Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 21, 2017

We need a genuinely new message, a serious jobs plan that reaches all Americans, and a bigger tent not a smaller one. Focus on the future. — Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 21, 2017

In November, Moulton threw his support behind Ryan for the leadership position, saying the Ohio congressman would give the party a better chance to regain the majority by appealing to working class voters from the industrial Midwest who supported Donald Trump for president.

“Voters sent a very clear message to our entire party that the status quo is not working and, as Democrats, we’ve got to come to terms with the fact that we need a new strategy,” Moulton told the Globe in November.

Earlier in November, Moulton was part of a group of House Democrats who pressured the caucus to delay the leadership vote, which allowed for Ryan to formally announce his candidacy.

Pelosi, 77, has led the House Democratic caucus for nearly 15 years, from the minority into the majority and back again.


She defended her leadership position on Thursday morning.

‘‘So you want me to sing my praises, is that what you’re saying?’’ the California Democrat remarked dismissively to reporters when asked why she should stay on as leader. ‘‘Well, I’m a master legislator. I’m a strategic, politically astute leader. My leadership is recognized by many around the country.’’

‘‘That is why I’m able to attract the support that I do, which is essential to our elections, sad to say,’’ Pelosi added, in a reference to her unparalleled fundraising hauls.

‘‘I feel very confident in the support that I have in my caucus,’’ she said. ‘‘We don’t agonize. We organize. So let’s get started on winning the races where we really do have a chance.’’

Trump himself weighed in over Twitter Thursday morning with digs at Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

I certainly hope the Democrats do not force Nancy P out. That would be very bad for the Republican Party - and please let Cryin' Chuck stay! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2017

Pelosi brushed off the tweet, saying Trump didn’t actually write it himself because ‘‘it’s a classic Republican line.’’

Michael Levenson of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.