Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said he has not ruled out a challenge to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) for minority leadership of the Judiciary Committee.
“Jerry Nadler is a great leader and a great friend of mine. Obviously, we are going through discussions within our caucus about who’s going to be in different positions at this point, but I have great respect and admiration for Jerry Nadler, I really do,” Raskin said on CNN's "State of the Union."
He later added, "I'm not ruling anything out at this point," when asked whether he would challenge Nadler.
As some Democrats push to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler as ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, @RepRaskin tells @kasie “I’m not ruling anything out at this point.” pic.twitter.com/ovz46yojAV
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) December 1, 2024
Raskin said it was important for Democrats to be a "muscular opposition" to the Republican majority and President-elect Donald Trump.
“We’re engaged in conversations all with the purpose of creating a strategic focus and capacity within the Democratic members of the House so that we’re going to be a really effective and muscular opposition,” he continued.
Nadler has said he plans to continue in the leadership post, indicating that he will not step aside easily for Raskin or anyone else.
He touted his accomplishments in impeaching Donald Trump and investigating the January 6 breach of the Capitol.
“As a New Yorker, I have stood up to Donald Trump my entire career,” Nadler wrote.“When he became president, I led the Judiciary Committee’s efforts to hold him accountable for his various abuses of power, culminating in two historic impeachments.”
Observers have noticed that Raskin is more of a debater in his style of leadership, while Nadler relies on talking points to communicate.
If Raskin does decide to challenge his colleague, Democrats on the committee will decide which style they prefer and whether they think it's time for new leadership of the important committee.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was chosen easily to be minority leader, remaining the top Democrat in the House.
Minority Whip Katherine M. Clark (MA) and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (CA) are also remaining in their positions.
All three ran uncontested for the top spots in an uneventful race, but Nadler at age 77 may be reaching the point where his caucus feels new leadership would be beneficial.
