New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D) on Saturday announced his candidacy to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the House Democrats’ campaign arm.
In a note to his Democratic colleagues obtained by The Atlantic’s Elaina Plott, Maloney touted his “proven fundraising strength” as well as his success in New York’s 18th congressional district, which voted narrowly for President Trump in 2016.
“I beat a Republican incumbent and I have won a Republican/Trump district four times by communicating effectively with the very voters we need to expand our majority,” Maloney says in his letter. “I have done so as a gay man with an interracial family — the first and only LGBT candidate ever elected to Congress from New York.”{mosads}
“No other candidate has a more extensive knowledge of the DCCC, its $250 million budget, personnel structure and national operations than I do,” the New York Democrat adds.
Maloney’s bid for the DCCC chairmanship, replacing Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) who is seeking a House leadership role, comes after his endorsement of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for the Speaker’s gavel despite his past criticism of the California Democrat in the days following Democrats’ defeat in the 2016 election.
“I am convinced that at this critical moment, Nancy Pelosi remains the right person for the job,” Maloney said in a statement Thursday.
“We must have our toughest, battle-proven leader on the field. Pelosi has served as Speaker under a Republican President before. She has shown time and time against she can out-negotiate, out-maneuver and out-wit the Republicans.”
Maloney’s move comes after other Democrats, including Reps. Suzan DelBene (Wash.), Cheri Bustos (Ill.), and Denny Heck (Wash.) also declared their candidacy for the position.
Democratic leadership elections are scheduled to be held at the end of the month, while several House districts in play during Tuesday’s midterm elections remained uncalled as of Saturday.
Democrats have already guaranteed a majority in the House in the next Congress, and are seeking to cement their lead over Republicans with more victories in several close races in California.