Fifth-ranking House Dem doubles down, says it’s time to overhaul leadership

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) on Wednesday amplified her previous calls for a complete overhaul of House Democratic leadership next year.

Sánchez, the fifth-ranking House Democrat, made waves in October when she called for the top three Democratic leaders — Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) and Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) — “to pass the torch to a new generation” regardless of the outcome of November’s midterm elections.

On Wednesday, Sánchez doubled down on that assertion, saying there’s “a real breadth and depth of talent” that needs room to take the reins of the party.

{mosads}“Having the top three leadership of the same generation, I think it’s time for that generational change,” Sánchez told reporters on Capitol Hill. “So I do still stand by that statement that’s it’s time for a generational shift.”

The remarks drew a sharp reply from Pelosi’s office.

Sánchez on Wednesday acknowledged the lingering uncertainty surrounding the question of who will lead the party into the 2020 presidential cycle. 

“Whether there’s transition or not remains to be seen,” she said. 

Still, she’s the most prominent Democrat endorsing the idea that the entire leadership team needs rebooting, and she’s leaving no question that she wants to be among those climbing the ladder.

“I want to be part of that transition, because I don’t intend to stay in Congress until I’m in my 70s,” she said. “I want to help create opportunities for some of the new members who have a lot to contribute but don’t necessarily always get the opportunity.”

The comments come as Democrats are still shell-shocked over the defeat of Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), who lost his primary last month to a young liberal activist with no political experience. Crowley, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, was seen by many Democrats as the heir apparent to Pelosi, and his defeat has opened up new opportunities for younger, greener Democrats to begin eying the leadership ranks.

Sánchez, for her part, said she is not ready to jump into the race to replace Crowley.

“I think I’d do a good job as chair of the caucus, but I’m not prepared to make a decision,” she said. “I’m still talking with colleagues.” 

She declined to give a timeline for announcing her plans. 

Meanwhile, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who was defeated by Sánchez for vice chairman in a razor-thin vote in 2016, is actively exploring her own run to replace Crowley. Lee has been open about her interest in the post, contacting various media outlets to make her case. But she has also adopted a lower profile than Sánchez in one significant sense: She is not calling for the Democrats’ top brass to step aside.