Pelosi, Hoyer seek to keep posts

The leading House Democrats announced Wednesday that they’ll seek to remain atop the party in the next Congress.

In separate letters to their members, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who have led the Democrats since 2003, said they have no intention of quitting now.

{mosads}Pelosi, who has bucked retirement rumors for three cycles running, said she was inspired by Tuesday’s elections to keep fighting. Her letter announced the launch of a new program designed to get more voters to the polls on election days.

“Only by changing our political environment and broadening the universe of the electorate can we build a strong sense of community and an economy that works for everyone,” she wrote.

“This basic and even non-partisan challenge, which many of you told me you share, has convinced me to place my name in nomination for leader when our Caucus meets.”

Hoyer, for his part, touted his role in uniting the Caucus against a number of high-profile Republican proposals, including the Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget and efforts to sue President Obama and slash food-stamp spending.

He vowed to continue the effort in the next Congress.

“Where we can, we should work with Republicans to get things done for our constituents,” he wrote. “But we will also hold them accountable for their policies that tell the American people: ‘You’re on your own.’”

Pelosi and Hoyer had vied for the minority whip spot in 2002, with Pelosi the victor. The pair squared off again, if indirectly, in 2006, when Pelosi endorsed the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) over Hoyer for majority leader as she ascended to Speaker. (Hoyer won handily).

Despite those differences, however, the two have worked well in the face of the conservative-leaning Republican majority.

It remains unclear if either will face a challenger from within their caucus. In any event, both are expected to remain in power.

— This story was updated at 6:37 p.m.