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| Rep. Stansbury |
The House Democrats Steering and Policy Committee--reportedly on a 44 to 17 vote--picked the more seasoned and moderate Rep. Jared Huffman for the position of ranking minority member on the committee. Stansbury, 45, could still take the battle to the full House Caucus but decisions of the Steering panel are rarely overturned.
Huffman, 60, had her beat on seniority. She only came to the House in June of 2021. He has been been there since 2013. Also, her progressive stripes could not carry the day as they didn't for AOC whose bid for a ranking spot on another committee was also rejected. Huffman appealed to the many moderates making the decision.
Rep. Huffman is now positioned to become chairman of the committee if the Democrats can take back the House majority. Meanwhile House committees will be chaired by Republicans.
Stansbury, if she doesn't burn any bridges over the defeat, stands to enhance her and the state's status in Washington and put herself in position for a future leadership spot.
As for the battle between her and Huffman getting "bitter," that will sit fine in her home district. Things can get that way when you're fighting over something worth having--as long as you don't carry a grudge afterwards.
THE HEINRICH FACTOR
As we discussed Monday, senior Sen. Martin Heinrich refused to make an endorsement in the Stansbury-Huffman contest even as the rest of the state's DC delegation gave her the nod. That set off speculation that Heinrich is still eyeing a run for the '26 Dem Guv nomination and that backing Stansbury did not fit into that plan.
Certainly not a theory to be disregarded but the Heinrich camp does point out that he is about to be the ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and must work closely with his House counterpart. In addition, they say he has worked with Huffman for better than a decade.
It is uncommon for the state's congressional delegation to have such a public split but they can ill-afford any lingering animosity with Trump set to take power next month and literally billions of dollars of federal funding hanging in the balance.
CRABS AND LOBSTERS
Joe, this snub is what is wrong with the Democrats. “I’m in it for me and the rest be damned" is tearing the party apart. Heinrich as the senior member from New Mexico should show more class and support those in his party as they seek even better positions. But this is why NM is last in everything. We can’t get passed the lobsters in the bucket situation.
Hey John, we used to call that the "crabs in the barrel" pulling one another down. But we're sure our delegation will appreciate the upgrade. (Don't worry, Alligators. Were not going to replace you.)
