Sixteen House Democrats vowed in a letter released Monday to oppose Nancy Pelosi for speaker on the House floor, placing the California Democrat’s bid to reclaim the gavel in serious jeopardy.
In a highly-anticipated letter that went public Monday, the Democrats called Pelosi “a historic figure.“
But, they added, “Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington. We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.“
The show-of-force underscores the depth of the challenge facing Pelosi, who has led the caucus for 16 years.
The letter includes 12 incumbents, three incoming freshman and one candidate, Ben McAdams of Utah, whose race has not been called.
Pelosi has defiantly said she will win a speaker vote and has no intention of withdrawing. She faces an internal Democratic vote on Nov. 28 and a floor vote for speaker on Jan. 3 where she needs 218 votes.