Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez felt it was high time to move on to bigger things, so she put her hat in the ring to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. On Tuesday, however, the New York Democrat was served a harsh dose of reality when she lost to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) for the post.
The result was no surprise, as predicted Events on Monday:
The victory was predicted a day earlier when the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee voted in favor Recommend the seat to Connollywho has a decade more experience than Ocasio-Cortez on the powerful board.
The nonbinding steering vote gave the 74-year-old Connolly a symbolic boost, but his victory was ultimately decided by the entire caucus, which gathered behind closed doors in the Capitol basement on Tuesday morning and voted in a secret vote to give him the coveted seat. The score was 131-84.
AOC just lost her race to become ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
This could be a problem for @AOCshe doesn’t handle rejection well. pic.twitter.com/PD7Lp0DNls
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 17, 2024
As we reported, Representative Nancy Pelosi, or “Speaker Emerita” as she likes to call herself, stood in AOC’s way and actively campaigned against her:
Pelosi is actively urging House members to side with her and vote for Connolly, 74, who has served in the House since 2009:
What we hear: Pelosi urged her colleagues to support Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez, according to two House Democrats with direct knowledge of her outreach.
Connolly, 74, and Ocasio-Cortez, 35, are running against each other to replace Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), current member of the Oversight Committee.
Power trip: Entertainment Tonight: Report Says Pelosi Is Actively Working Against AOC’s Bid for Powerful House Position
It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Ocasio-Cortez, whose star it was shine less brightly most recently:
Connolly’s victory halts, at least temporarily, the meteoric rise of Ocasio-Cortez, a former bartender who stunned Washington in 2018 by defeating then-Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) in a primary upset . In doing so, she made history as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. And since then, she has built a national brand as an uncompromising champion of progressive ideals that has made her a superstar on the left.
BREAKING: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has lost her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. pic.twitter.com/Ctc6YRYRaQ
– Jesse Morgan (@Jesse_Morgan_) December 17, 2024
The force suffered defeat in the November elections, and its power is in decline.
Connolly defeated Ocasio Cortez by a vote of 131 to 84, seen as a blow to progressives who supported Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive “Squad.”
“I thank my colleagues for their support and the trust they have placed in me to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Committee,” Connolly said in a statement following his election by the House Democratic Caucus.
Bye: “Deserves to go to a museum”: Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush receive a fitting farewell during farewell speeches
Connolly made the announcement in November Fight against cancer the esophagus, but was “very confident that the result will be successful.” While he’s arguably not as divisive as AOC, he’s definitely no friend of the GOP:
“It’s going to be trench warfare,” Connolly said. “Now is not the time to be shy. I promise the American people that our Democrats on the committee will be a beacon of truth and will be prepared to counter Republican gaslighting from day one.”
I suspect this isn’t the last we’ll hear from AOC, but the loss is a notable setback for the Democratic Socialist. Even some Democrats have had enough “Squad” antics.
