Top Dem Retiring Leaves Leadership Void atop Democrat House Hierarchy

As everyone knows, Congress is about to go over some serious changes over the next two months.

On Tuesday, the majority will be decided, and Democrats are expected to take the House.

That will make the chair of the New Democrat Coalition even more powerful than before, but its current chair, Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) is retiring, so there will be a major battle for the position.

Time for Change

Kuster has been in office since 2013, and she has been the chair of the New Dems since January 2023.

This committee has been widely responsible for helping to push legislation across the finish line that favored Dems, even with a Republican majority.

Now the party will have to find someone else to fill that role, with Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) believed to be the top contenders.

Davids recently commented on the position, stating, “Even as a coalition that’s in the minority, I think that actually highlights that when we prioritize getting things done and collaboration, not just within our coalition, but when we can find areas to work with our Republican colleagues on, we’re going to be pragmatic and do that.”

Davids believes she had a leg up because of the nature of his district in Kansas, making it easier for her to work with Republicans.

She added, “Coming from a red state and having been through tough elections every two years since getting elected, and serving during that time as the vice chair of member services … I have really had the chance to hear from and work with almost all of our members to just help figure out what they need to be successful in the Congress, and also what they need to be successful on the campaign side.”

Democrats are expected to take the House, but the question is by how much.

If they do not have a large majority, the Dems are going to find themselves in the same position as Republicans did after the 2022 cycle, so they are going to have to make some concessions, especially if the GOP takes the Senate as expected, and that is regardless of who wins the White House.

If Trump wins, I think much of what happens in the House with Democrats in control will depend on whether Trump’s AG fires Smith.

If that happens, Dems will be working on impeaching Trump again, pretty much blocking everything that Trump does to help the Dems win again in 2028.