Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., has dropped out of the race to be ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, according to a letter to his dear colleagues he sent Wednesday.
Nadler's decision clears a path for Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., to take over as the committee's top Democrat. Raskin had launched an attempt to challenge Nadler.
“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 have great confidence that Jamie will ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger,” Nadler wrote. endorsing Raskin to succeed him.
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Nadler (D-N.Y.) joins local politicians, environmental and transportation advocates at a press conference outside the Lincoln Tunnel urging immediate implementation of New York's Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, the April 21, 2023, in New York City.
“Although I will not be a ranking member, I will remain an active member of the Committee and I look forward to working alongside its new leadership in the battle to protect our most vulnerable communities and our most cherished democratic ideals,” said the 17th. the term New York Democrat.
Nadler steps aside as several younger House Democrats have ambitions of unseating older but established party leaders in the next Congress.
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Raskin speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., withdrew earlier this week from the race for the top Democratic seat on the Natural Resources Committee after Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., announced his candidacy. A handful of lawmakers are also challenging the Agriculture Committee's ranking member, Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., for his position, Politico reported.
Nadler's did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, during a hearing in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Raskin thanked Nadler for his endorsement in a post on X.
“Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant. His tenacious defense of civil rights and liberties is a great inspiration to our people. I am humbled and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead,” wrote the Maryland Democrat.
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His reported elevation to the Judiciary Committee creates a vacancy for the ranking member position on the House Oversight Committee. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, has expressed interest in that role, among others.
“I'm having a lot of conversations with my colleagues,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Wednesday. “It is incredibly important that we fully prepare for an incoming Trump administration, as well as to fight for everyday American workers.”
