(LibertySociety.com) – Although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has yet to announce her intent to retire, lawmakers are speculating about who will replace her if she decides to step aside this year. Legislators on the list include House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
Although Hoyer is technically next in line for the position, followed by Clyburn, both are in their 80s and may follow Pelosi out the door. That leaves Jeffries as the assumed frontrunner for speaker if Karl Rove’s prediction is correct and she retires.
"There is going to be a change in the leadership of the democratic party if they lose the House as I believe they will, and Nancy Pelosi is going to retire." @KarlRove makes his predictions for the future of the democratic party @DanaPerino pic.twitter.com/mnYOGh2vaP
— America's Newsroom (@AmericaNewsroom) January 4, 2022
Experts say the New York legislator has strong support among Democrats, and some in the Republican party also respect him, which would help in bipartisan negotiations that come with the job. With Hoyer and Clyburn possibly stepping aside as well, that leaves Jayapal as a possibility. However, some say her advocacy might prevent her from fulfilling the role’s expanded responsibilities.
Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA), House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Representative Katie Porter (D-CA) are also on the fringes of potential replacements. However, it’s unclear if they will seek the position.
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