House Democrats have spent the past few days infighting and pointing fingers after Republicans gained several seats on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Democrats expected to expand their majority by nearly a dozen seats — even in Republican strongholds.
But Republicans defied the polls and not only defended their close seats, but won several upset victories over Democratic incumbents.
According to Politico, this left Democratic lawmakers and strategists “shell-shocked,” who quickly began trying to pin the blame.
“It’s a dumpster fire,” said one Democrat, who wished to remain anonymous.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, said the Democratic Party is in desperate need of an overhaul.
“If we don’t change the strategy, it’s going to be the same in 2022,” he said.
Several centrist Democrats blame the party’s far left wing, which is made up of members like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for isolating key voters that were repelled by their socialist agenda.
Some are even questioning the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leadership, and wondering whether she has what it takes to stand up to some of her younger colleagues’ polarizing agenda.
Two moderate House Democrats who requested anonymity said they and several other centrists in the House are privately discussing the idea of backing a challenger to Pelosi, according to The Hill.
Their choice for her replacement would be House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
“He’s the only one prepared and positioned. He bridges moderates and progressives better than anyone. And most importantly, he’s not Nancy Pelosi,” one of the lawmakers said.
The voters’ repudiation of House Democrats’ increasingly aggressive agenda proves that the American public does not want radical change, another lawmaker explained.
“It’s time for Democrats to elevate a new generation of leadership in both the House and the Senate. Americans are clearly afraid of ‘socialism,’ want safe streets and neighborhoods and to vote for people who they believe will help put more money in their pockets,” the lawmaker said.
Jeffries, however, does not seem interested in the role. A spokesperson for the congressman said he would not make a play for Pelosi’s role, but did not rule it out entirely.
“As we wait for every vote to be counted in the most pivotal election in our lifetime, keeping the House Democratic Caucus unified on behalf of the American people has never been more important. Representative Jeffries is running to serve a second term as Chairman of the vibrant House Democratic Caucus in the 117th Congress,” the spokesperson said.
Even if Jeffries does not pursue the Speakership, House Republicans argued Pelosi won’t have the majority to win again.
“I know the vote on the floor is difficult for Speaker. I know there was a number of people who did not vote for her last time,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Wednesday, according to Fox News. “And as our numbers continue to grow, I think at the end of the day, no matter where we end up, we’ll be able to have a very big say, or even run the floor when it comes to policy.”
Pelosi admitted in a letter to House Democrats sent Wednesday that this was a “challenging election” for her party, but her office quickly squashed reports that a leadership shake-up is coming.
“Today is not about the race for Speaker,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hamill said. “Today is about the race for the White House and ensuring that our Members and candidates in uncalled races have the support they need. That is our focus.”
