Jasmine Crockett Will Not Be Ranking on Oversight

Yesterday, Gerry Connolly, D-VA-11, announced that his esophageal cancer has returned and that he will be stepping back from his role as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. Connolly also announced that he won’t be seeking re-election. Connolly beat AOC to win the ranking member position, with the help of Nancy Pelosi.

There are a lot of Democrats who hope that Jasmine Crockett, whose title is “Vice Ranking”, will take over from Connolly. This is almost certainly not going to happen, for a variety of reasons.

First, AOC was Vice Ranking when she challenged Connolly. The title is not an indication of a place in line. Second, Seniority is the rule of the House. The Politico story about Connolly’s retirement noted that he’s asked Stephen Lynch, D-MA-8, to take over his duties. Lynch is next in line in seniority on the committee after Eleanor Holmes Norton, who is the non-voting DC rep. Finally, I’ve seen no statements of regret or concern from leadership about Connolly’s election, even though Connolly could barely speak at some points and was not a very energetic spokesman for Oversight.

That said, if Crockett does win (or constantly thirsty Ro Khanna, who of course wants the job), it will be a major signal that something’s changed in the Democratic leadership of the House. I see no signs of this happening.

Most Democrats who are politically engaged like their young rising stars. Many Democrats are also frustrated with the lack of perceived effort by leadership. Unless something changes with leadership, the rising stars won’t be running committees anytime soon. The only way that I know to change leadership’s veneration of seniority over all else is to primary members who support the status quo.