Democrats on Steering Committee recommend Connolly over AOC for party's leader on House Oversight

The House Democratic Steering Committee on Monday recommended that liberal Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly lead the party on the powerful House Oversight Committee over New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez threw her hat into the ring to replace current House Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin earlier this month, in a challenge to Connolly, who has sat on the committee for 16 years. Ocasio-Cortez is currently the second highest Democrat on the committee.

Connolly secured the recommendation of the party's top brass in a 34-27 vote, though the House Democratic caucus will still need to hold its vote for the top slot later this week. However, the support from the Steering committee is a big boost for Connolly, according to The Hill.

Ocasio-Cortez told the caucus in a "Dear Colleague" letter that she understood the importance of fighting President-elect Donald Trump's agenda in his second term, but said it must be balanced with trying to make life easier for working class Americans. Trump saw a surge in support from blue collar voters in November.

Connolly leaned into his experience on the committee in his pitch to fellow Democrats, and said he would be a good leader to help defend against Trump's agenda.

“Oversight Democrats must be an aggressive team focused on defending American democracy from Trump and articulating a Democratic agenda that resonates with our constituents," Connolly wrote. 

"We must expose and dismantle bad-faith Republican efforts to promote conspiracy theories, intimidate witnesses, and undermine democratic processes," he continued. "I've done this effectively in my work on the Committee in opposing the impeachment of President Biden and while serving as an appointee on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government."

The top post on House Oversight comes after Raskin announced that he was seeking the top Democratic seat on House Judiciary instead. Republicans in January will control the House, Senate, and the Oval Office.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.