Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) launched a challenge to top House Judiciary Democrat Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Monday afternoon in a letter to Democratic colleagues.
The bid sets up a generational clash for the leadership of one of the most high-profile congressional panels as Democrats look to build a bulwark against Donald Trump’s presidency.
“After a week consulting most of our Colleagues and engaging in serious introspection about where we are, I am running today to be your Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress,” Raskin wrote. “This is where we will wage our front-line defense of the freedoms and rights of the people, the integrity of the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the security of our most precious birthright possessions: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and democracy itself.”
Raskin, a constitutional scholar, rose to prominence as a manager of then-President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial and as a member of the Jan. 6 select committee. He has relished his role as the top Democrat on the Oversight panel during the current Congress, sparring with the Republican majority as they investigated President Joe Biden. Some Democrats have privately pushed him to run amid questions about Nadler’s ability to stand up to Trump on the prominent panel.
His decision to run also comes amid a generational shift on other House panels. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who’d faced a competitive challenge to lead the Natural Resources committee, announced Monday he would not run again as the panel’s top Democrat. And Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), who’s faced questions about his ability to lead the Agriculture committee amid struggles with his health, faces challenges from Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.).
Nadler, a veteran New York Democrat and the dean of the state’s House delegation, has been the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel since 2017. He served as a manager of Trump’s first impeachment. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though Nadler has been actively running for reelection on the panel.
Raskin’s bid for Judiciary could also kick off a scramble for ranking member of the Oversight Committee if he wins the race for the leadership position. Among those who could mount bids to succeed him are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the current vice ranking member, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
House Democrats’ steering and policy committee will hold secret ballot elections to recommend panel leaders to the full caucus in the coming weeks, and that panel’s membership is expected to be decided as soon as this week.
Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.
