Freshman Dem Cisneros joins anti-Pelosi letter

Rep.-elect Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) has signed on to a letter vowing to oppose Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) for Speaker, according to a Democratic aide, providing a slight boost to an anti-Pelosi insurgency that has been softening in recent days.

Cisneros, who won the seat occupied by retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), was critical of Pelosi on the campaign trail but had not formally announced his position on the longtime Democratic leader’s bid for Speaker.

A group of critics released a letter last Monday promising to vote for new leadership in both the closed-door caucus vote and on the House floor. Sixteen Democrats initially signed the letter, but Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) pulled his name off the letter and said he would be supporting Pelosi’s Speaker bid after she agreed to prioritize infrastructure spending and expanding Medicare.

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), another critic who had been considering a challenge to Pelosi, also reversed course last week.

Cisneros brings the letter back to 16 signatures, which — combined with a handful of other Democrats who have vowed to oppose Pelosi — could be enough to block Pelosi’s ascension.

Democratic leadership elections, where Pelosi only needs a simple majority to become the party’s nominee, are scheduled for Wednesday.