The Bloc Backs Mai Vang to Oust 1 House Democrat as It Eyes Speaker Leverage
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 29
The Bloc Backs Mai Vang to Oust 1 House Democrat as It Eyes Speaker Leverage
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 29
Summary
Mai Vang is set to win a collective endorsement from the progressive Bloc for a primary challenge to Rep. Doris Matsui in California’s 7th District, with members arranging travel to campaign for her.
The group of incoming left-wing lawmakers is trying to act in concert before arriving in Washington, betting a shared political and social infrastructure can avoid the fragmentation that weakened the original Squad.
A narrow Democratic House majority could quickly test that strategy: the Bloc believes it may have leverage in the speaker vote and has floated demands including more procedural power, committee slots and changes to DCCC primary practices.
Hakeem Jeffries is already engaging the threat privately, speaking with some Bloc-aligned members, while moderates warn they will not give him the room Kevin McCarthy had to negotiate with insurgents.