Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a dear colleague letter to House Democrats Friday suggesting the caucus wait until after Thanksgiving to hold its leadership elections for the next Congress.

The letter may seem strange coming four months in advance of the lame-duck session during which intraparty leadership elections would be held, but according to a Democratic leadership aide members had been inquiring about the timing of the caucus elections, so the letter was meant to clear the matter up.

It also served to remind members the election is a long way away and the caucus should focus on winning the midterms, the aide said.

Pelosi opened the letter noting Democrats are “poised for victory” in November and that if the elections were held today the party would win many new seats and take back the majority.

“This would mean more leadership positions, more committee assignments and a large freshman class,” she said.