Hoyer picks up three more supporters in race for whip job

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has picked up three commitments in his battle to hang on as the second-ranking Democratic leader in the House.

Reps. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.) announced on Saturday their support for Hoyer in the brewing leadership race.

{mosads}Reyes may be the most important pick-up because he is an influential member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and chairman of the House intelligence panel.

House Democratic Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announced Friday afternoon that he would run for the post of minority whip, setting up a head-to-head contest against Hoyer.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) created a squeeze in the Democratic leadership by announcing Friday that she would make a bid to stay on as House Democratic leader.

Republicans will control the Speaker’s gavel next year, which means there will be one fewer position in the upper echelons of the Democratic leadership. Pelosi was widely expected to step down from the leadership if Democrats lost control of the House.

Pelosi has justified her decision by saying she has nothing to apologize for or regret.

“I wouldn’t do anything differently,” Pelosi told The Washington Post.

Hoyer made clear that he would not challenge Pelosi, his onetime rival for the whip’s job when Democrats were last in the minority.

Reyes, Garamendi and Capps praised Hoyer in statements released Saturday.

“Steny Hoyer has been a crucial voice in the Democratic Caucus, and was instrumental in helping unite our diverse caucus in several key debates,” said Reyes. “He is an effective spokesperson for our party, and his leadership will be even more critical as Democrats continue fighting for middle-class families and work to regain the majority in 2012.”

Reyes also announced his support for Pelosi to continue in her role as House Democratic leader.

“Steny Hoyer has been a remarkable leader in our caucus, and that’s why I’m proud to support him for Democratic Whip,” said Garamendi, who represents Walnut Creek, Calif. “Job No. 1 for all members of the next Congress is job creation.

“We must Make It In America to make it in America. Leader Hoyer has been Congress’s most determined and passionate voice on the need to bring back good manufacturing jobs — the backbone of America’s middle class,” he added.

Garamendi represents the district formerly held by Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), once chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition and a longtime ally of Hoyer.

Capps touted Hoyer as a champion of the middle class and the “commonsense values” of the Democratic Party.

“After helping us to gain the majority, he was an indispensable part of the leadership team that enacted historic measures to save our economy, reform healthcare and our financial system, and expand educational opportunities for all Americans,” said Capps. “Steny’s diligence and hard work has earned him the trust of all parts of our caucus and as whip will ensure that we remain unified going forward.”

A handful of Democratic lawmakers have announced their support for Hoyer, including Reps. Robert Brady (Pa.), Jim Moran (Va.), Edward Markey (Mass.), Peter Welch (Vt.) and Jared Polis (Colo.).

But Clyburn can count on solid support of the Congressional Black Caucus, which numbered 42 members before Election Day.

CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) praised Hoyer in a recent interview with The Hill but said she would back Clyburn, who was active in the civil rights movement.

“It’s important we have that kind of diversity in our caucus,” she said. 


—Russell Berman contributed to this report. This story was updated at 7 p.m.