Marcia Fudge Emerges as Potential Pelosi Challenger for Speaker of the House

UPDATE: Rep. Marcia Fudge is “overwhelmed” with the support she’s received since announcing her possible challenge against Nancy Pelosi. Reporter Robert Costa quotes Fudge extensively:

“Over the last 12 hours, I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve received,” Fudge said in an interview with The Washington Post, adding that there are “probably closer to 30” Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi.

“Things could change rapidly,” Fudge said with a smile as she sat in her office, with her phone buzzing nearby.

Original article:

Rep. Marcia Fudge, who represents Ohio’s 11th District, has emerged from a scrum of progressives as a potential challenger to Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House.

There’s been discontent emanating out of the progressive wing of the Democrat caucus for some time now. While Democrats won control over the House of Representatives, and Pelosi has assumed the position as Speaker-elect, some rank-and-file Democrats are hungry for new leadership. (RELATED: Some Democrats Working to Prevent Pelosi from Becoming Speaker Again.)

Enter Rep. Fudge, who could be the kind of progressive alternative to Pelosi, whom many young Democrats view as representative of old-style leadership.

From Politico:

A potential challenger to Nancy Pelosi emerged on Wednesday as her critics worked behind the scenes to try to deny her the votes to be speaker.

Former Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Marcia Fudge of Ohio told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that she is considering a bid for the gavel. Fudge, who has signed a letter vowing to oppose Pelosi on the House floor, does not believe the California Democrat can clinch the 218 votes needed to return to her old position.

Here’s what Fudge told the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “People are asking me to do it, and I am thinking about it. I need to give it some thought and see if I have an interest. I am at the very beginning of this process. It is just in discussion at this point.”

Fudge is reportedly one of 17 Democrats who have signed a letter asserting that Pelosi should not be Speaker of the House again. The letter has yet to be released.

Should Fudge run, she could spark a potential civil war within the Democrat Party. No doubt this fight over leadership would be yet another iteration of the Bernie Sanders vs. Hillary Clinton primary fight in 2016.

In a surprise twist, some moderate Republicans are scheming to make sure that Pelosi does, in fact, become Speaker. (RELATED: Report: Some Republicans Looking to Support Pelosi for Speaker.)

Just imagine: Pelosi winning the Speakership by relying on Republican support. Progressives in her own caucus would be livid.

House Republicans may be out of power and be this side of useless, but at least they’ll have front row seats to an internecine Democrat war. Is it too much to wish both sides lose?

Jim E. is a true political insider, with experience working both in Washington and outside in real America. Jim... More about Jim E

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