Himes not tapped for senior party position in House

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Monday appointed Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Party wing devoted to electing Democrats to the House in 2016.

In naming Lujan, a third-term lawmaker who comes from a long line of political figures in New Mexico, Pelosi brushed aside a host of competitors for the position of DCCC chairman, including Rep. Jim Himes.

But Pelosi named Rep. Rosa DeLauro as steering co-chair of the House Democratic caucus, a senior position within Democratic leadership at a time when the number of Democrats in the House is at its lowest point since the 1940s.

Himes had been careful not to openly campaign for the post but made little secret of his interest in winning the appointment. Himes’ spokesman, Greg Vadala, said last week that Himes “understands what it takes to run and win competitive races’’ and “would be honored to be considered.’’

A liberal group, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, last week called on Pelosi not to appoint Himes, saying the former Goldman, Sachs executive who represents most of Fairfield County was too cozy with Wall Street. Himes is sensitive to the charge and his spokesman, Vadala, pointed out that Himes sponsored the provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act that placed a measure of control over the high-flying derivatives market.

By appointing Lujan, Pelosi signaled the rising importance of the Hispanic vote to Democratic fortunes in 2016. Lackluster turnout by Hispanics and other elements of the Democratic coalition on Election Day two weeks ago contributed to heavy losses nationwide, putting Capitol Hill in total control of Republicans for the first time in seven years.

“Congressman Ben Ray Lujan is a dynamic and forward-looking leader with the fresh energy and ideas House Democrats need for victory in 2016,’’ Pelosi said. “Congressman Lujan has the bold vision and determined leadership to deliver Democratic wins in difficult districts _ and I am confident he will prove a tireless champion for our members and candidates across the country.’’

DeLauro, in her 12th term representing a Connecticut district based in New Haven, becomes one of the highest-ranking woman in the Democratic House caucus along with Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., who was named policy co-chair.

“Rosa DeLauro’s innovative and unrelenting leadership is essential to our Caucus,’’ said DeLauro. “She is the insistent vision behind the `When Women Succeed, America Succeeds’ agenda, and her work on behalf of students and working families is unparalleled. Congresswoman DeLauro is the lion of our caucus, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to move our country forward.’’

 

Daniel Freedman