Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) is ceding his position as top Democrat on the powerful Judiciary Committee amid a tough challenge from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), whom Nadler will endorse.
The move marks a stunning fall for Nadler, a fiery Manhattan liberal and 34 year veteran of Congress, who rose to the top of the Judiciary panel in 2017 and helped to guide the two impeachments of President-elect Trump. As senior Democrat on the committee, he had the edge among those in the party who want to stick with a system that rewards experience and longevity at the top of committees.
But after a disappointing election performance last month, more and more Democrats are clamoring for a generational change in the party brass — a trend that began with the ascension of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to party leader last year, and is now extending to committee posts.
Raskin, a generation younger than Nadler, was among the Democrats making the case for a changing of the guard to encourage fresh strategies. And many Democrats said he had the support to topple Nadler, which likely led to Nadler’s abrupt decision on Wednesday to step out of the race.
On Wednesday, he told colleagues in a letter that he would be passing the torch to Raskin, describing the move as ushering in a new generation of leadership.
“I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus’s most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler wrote. “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.”
“As our country faces the return of Donald Trump, and the renewed threats to our democracy and our way of life that he represents, I am very confident that Jamie would ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger,” he added.
Nadler’s announcement came as it became clear that he faced an uphill battle to retain his post. Raskin secured a public endorsement from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, and several Democrats who spoke to The Hill saw the Maryland Democrat as the frontrunner.
“I’m assuming Jamie’s gonna win,” one Democrat on the Judiciary Committee said Tuesday night. “He’s got a lot of star power. I think he’s done an excellent job on Oversight.”
But Nadler had vowed to remain in the fight, telling The Hill he would plow ahead with his bid. When asked if he was confident in his chances of winning, he responded: “I think we’re gonna be okay.”
