WASHINGTON D.C. — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the House Democratic Caucus met virtually for the first time last week to vote for all leadership positions, except Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair and freshman leadership representative. This included three contested races: assistant speaker, vice chair and leadership representative, a position reserved for members who’ve served five congressional terms or less.
They will reconvene for a second time in the first week of December to decide the winners of three elections for Committee Chairs in the 117th Congress and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair.
Members voted in 15 minute intervals on a mobile application developed for this situation. The app could be used in the future to replace paper ballots, which are an outdated method and have been at the center of Congressional discord in the face of a public health crisis.
Results were announced on a secure video call. 100% of the representatives in the 117th Congress House Democratic Caucus (those who were elected or re-elected for the next two years) casted a ballot in the first-ever virtual leadership elections. Choices were made in contested races that will dictate the ideological, racial and gender balance of caucus decision-makers, influencing party priorities going forward.
The Caucus office in conjunction with relevant staff departments on Capitol Hill spent months working to carry out the elections safely while also trying to keep as much tradition as possible on a video conference.
After a Biden election and historical gains regarding diversity in the 116th congress, there is continued pressure for representation in party leadership. A pivotal vice chair race pitted a Latino (Rep. Aguilar) against a Black woman (Rep. Kelly). The only Latino member currently in leadership, Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján, won a Senate seat this fall. After his win last week, Aguilar became the highest-ranking Latino in leadership.
I had the opportunity to assist Members of Congress with the software needed to make the elections run smoothly and had the privilege of taking photos in DC all week. It was a privilege to see the elections occur in person— to watch history happen and to be a part of a milestone in American politics. I would’ve loved to have seen all the Members in person, but this experience will still have to work a little harder if it wants escape my memory in time.
PICTURED:
Caucus Chair (Re-elected), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Caucus Leadership Representative (Elected), Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX)
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL)
Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Co-Chair (Elected), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO)
House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair (Elected): Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA)
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO)
