Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s three picks could help answer criticism that current leadership doesn’t have enough lawmakers who come from non-coastal areas and are more reflective of working-class voters. | AP Photo Pelosi, facing challenge, releases new leadership slate

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Friday released her picks to fill out the Democratic leadership ranks next Congress, unveiling a list that includes many longtime allies of the recently tested leader.

The slate, which will be considered by members during leadership elections Wednesday, includes lawmakers who have been supportive of Pelosi’s 14-year tenure leading the caucus and comes as she faces a challenge from Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan for the top post.


Ryan isn’t expected to win but has received a handful of endorsements since announcing his bid last week.

Pelosi (D-Calif.) has nominated Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) to jointly lead the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. This comes after she proposed, at the suggestion of a group of junior members, expanding DPCC leadership from one chairman to three earlier this week.

Pelosi’s three picks could help answer criticism that current leadership doesn’t have enough junior members and lawmakers who come from non-coastal areas and are more reflective of working-class voters.

Reps. John Delaney (D-Md.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) have also circulated letters this week soliciting support for their bids to lead DPCC, but it’s unclear whether either member will try to challenge the current slate.

Pelosi plans to nominate Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) to serve as top Democrat on the House Budget Committee. In the letter, she said “protecting Medicare” will be a top issue for Democrats next Congress.

Her nomination slate also keeps her allies in several key positions. She is renominating Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. This comes after the party gained a half-dozen House seats in November, far short of expectations.

And Pelosi has renominated Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro to co-chair the Steering and Policy Committee. The minority leader has chosen another strong supporter, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), to fill the other steering spot.

Pelosi has come under criticism in recent weeks from members who say the caucus’ power structure is too centralized and she was forced to delay leadership elections following unrest from rank-and-file members angered by House Democrats’ dismal showing on Election Day.

Some members have pushed her to allow the rank-and-file to have more say in key leadership posts, including urging both the Steering and Policy and DCCC positions to be nominated by the caucus.

Pelosi doesn’t address those concerns in her letter. Currently, other members can be nominated to lead DCCC from the floor with the backing of five lawmakers, but it’s unclear if anyone will challenge Luján next week.

“This team of new and experienced leaders is dedicated to working with their entire caucus to make the future better for the American people,” she wrote in her letter to members Friday evening.

