Clyburn 'humbly' asks fellow House Democrats to keep him in leadership, give him No. 4 post

House Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said after their party lost chamber control that they wouldn't again seek leadership posts.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: November 18, 2022 12:08pm

Updated: November 18, 2022 2:32pm

House Majority Whip James Clyburn informed his colleagues on Friday that he plans to run for assistant Democratic leader in the next Congress.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer each announced on Thursday they would not seek positions in the leadership but said they plan to stay in the House.

Clyburn is third-ranking House Democrat. The position of assistant Democratic leader is the fourth-ranking leadership position in the House's Democratic conference.

Dear Colleague - Assistant Democratic Leader 118th Congress.pdf

Clyburn "humbly" asked for the support of his colleagues in his bid for assistant Democratic leader. The South Carolina Democrat said he hopes to work "alongside" a new generation of leaders, specifically naming New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, and California Rep. Pete Aguilar.

Pelosi has said she would support Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar.

“In the 118th Congress, House Democrats will be led by a trio that reflects our beautiful diversity of our nation. Chair Jeffries, Assistant Speaker Clark and Vice Chair Aguilar know that, in our Caucus, diversity is our strength and unity is our power,” she said. “A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will capably lead our Caucus and the Congress.”