The Big Three in the House Democratic Caucus — Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Majority…

The Big Three in the House Democratic Caucus Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPessimism grows as hopes fade for coronavirus dealTrump acknowledged downplaying COVID-19 threat, says Woodward bookThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Woodward’s bombshells l Biden clobbers Trump in fundraising l Democrats swamp the airwavesMORE (Calif.), Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | ‘Markeyverse’ of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protectionsGoogle, Apple, eBay to meet virtually with lawmakers for tech group’s annual fly-inThis week: Lawmakers return with coronavirus talks stalemated, funding deadline loomingMORE (Md.) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) are expected to cruise to reelection in the caucus, keeping the top leadership team intact for another two years.
But with less than eight weeks until the Nov. 3 elections, ambitious Democrats have started making calls and jockeying for the other leadership slots seen as stepping stones to more high-profile jobs.
Seems the list of people running is longer than those not running, joked one House Democratic lawmaker. Suffice to say it is very active.
Closed-door leadership elections will take place shortly after the general election. Here is the state of play.
Assistant Speaker
With Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) poised to win a promotion to the Senate this fall, his impending departure has set off a competitive three-way scramble to fill his leadership post.
Reps. David CicillineDavid Nicola CicillineThe folly of Cicilline’s ‘Glass-Steagall for Tech’David Cicilline launches bid for assistant SpeakerCher raised million for Biden campaign at LGBTQ-themed fundraiserMORE (D-R.I.) and Tony CardenasAntonio (Tony) CardenasMORE (D-Calif.) have already thrown their hats in the ring; Rep. Katherine ClarkKatherine Marlea ClarkDavid Cicilline launches bid for assistant SpeakerChild care has always been essential to our economy let’s start treating it that wayCicilline, Clark privately jockeying for top leadership roleMORE (D-Mass.), whos been making calls to shore up support, is expected to join them.
All three lawmakers have their strengths, and people tracking the race say there is no clear front-runner at the moment. As head of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), Cicilline has experience at the leadership table and played a key role in shaping the partys messaging against the Trump White House. Hes also co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and the top openly gay Democrat on Pelosis leadership team.
But either a Cardenas or Clark victory would satisfy factions who have been clamoring for a woman or a Hispanic American to fill one of the open top leadership posts. Cardenas has run the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) BOLD PAC, raising millions for Democrats and growing the membership of the CHC.
Clark, the House Democratic Caucuss vice chair, is the highest-ranking woman in leadership after Pelosi. Shes a proven fundraiser as well and has been building bridges with minority and female Democrats, who will be instrumental in choosing the next assistant Speaker.
Democratic caucus vice chair
Caucus Chairman Hakeem JeffriesHakeem Sekou JeffriesPostmaster general earned millions from company with ties to Postal Service: report Hispanic Caucus campaign chief to mount leadership bidThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Postal Service crisis escalatesMORE (D-N.Y.), seen by many to be the heir apparent to Pelosi, is staying put in his job managing the 232-member caucus. But with his deputy, Clark, looking to move up the ladder, a handful of rank-and-file Democrats are eyeing the vice chairman job.
At least three lawmakers Reps. Pete AguilarPeter (Pete) Ray AguilarHouse passes legislation to create Smithsonian Latino museumHouse panel approves amendment barring DACA deportationsHispanic Caucus requests meeting with private detention center CEOsMORE (D-Calif.), Robin KellyRobin Lynne KellyBattle looms over Biden health care plan if Democrats win bigLawmakers set for tearful goodbye to John LewisIntelligence community rolls out guidelines for ethical use of artificial intelligenceMORE (D-Ill.) and Deb HaalandDebra HaalandDemocrats push White House to oust head of public lands bureau The Hill’s Convention Report: Biden’s big night | Steve Bannon’s fall | Pelosi weighs in on Mass. Senate primaryLawmakers of color urge Democratic leadership to protect underserved communities in coronavirus talksMORE (D-N.M.) have started making calls to colleagues about the vice chair job, sources said. Aguilar, a chief deputy whip and member of the Hispanic Caucus elected in 2014, was defeated by Clark two years ago in the race for vice chair. But he could see an edge if Cardenas loses his assistant Speakers race and Democrats want to ensure the CHC has a seat at the table.
If Cardenas loses, Pete Aguilar would be the only Hispanic person running for leadership, one Democratic source noted.
Kelly, who won a 2013 special election, is a popular member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and respected by colleagues. She served with former President Obama in the Illinois statehouse and is co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
Haaland, the former New Mexico Democratic Party chair, made history in 2018 when she became one of the first two female Native Americans elected to Congress, along with Rep. Sharice DavidsSharice DavidsGOP leader says he doesn’t want Chamber’s endorsement: ‘They have sold out’US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman DemocratsAmanda Adkins wins GOP primary to challenge Rep. Sharice DavidsMORE (D-Kan.).
Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chair
With Cicilline looking for a promotion, his three deputies DPCC co-Chairs Debbie DingellDeborah (Debbie) Ann DingellMichigan Rep. Debbie Dingell easily wins House primaryCourt orders release of Black Michigan teen who was jailed for missing schoolwork Lobbying worldMORE (D-Mich.), Ted LieuTed W. LieuPostmaster general earned millions from company with ties to Postal Service: report The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Postal Service crisis escalatesTwo Democrats call for criminal inquiry of postmaster generalMORE (D-Calif.) and Matt CartwrightMatthew (Matt) Alton CartwrightTrump Jr. seeks to elect ‘new blood’ to Republican PartyRepublicans face worsening outlook in battle for HouseCook shifts 20 House districts toward Democrats MORE (D-Pa.) are all vying to become head of the Democrats policy and messaging operation.
Until the last Congress, the DPCC had operated with three co-equal chairs, but Pelosi created the top post for Cicilline to avert a competitive race between two of her allies, Cicilline and Luján, for the assistant Speaker job.
Dingell is a close Pelosi ally who won the seat of her husband, the late Rep. John DingellJohn DingellDemocrats flubbed opportunity to capitalize on postal delaysCOVID-19 bill limiting liability would strike the wrong balanceMichigan Rep. Debbie Dingell easily wins House primaryMORE, in 2014. Lieu, elected to Congress that same year, would bring a strong Asian American voice to the table; hes earned a national following by taking daily jabs at President TrumpDonald John TrumpCohen: ‘I guarantee that it’s not going to go well for whoever’ set up Woodward interviewPompeo says ‘substantial chance’ Navalny poisoning was ordered by senior Russian officialTrump says he ‘almost definitely’ won’t read Woodward book MORE on his favorite social media platform: Twitter. Cartwright, who ousted Rep. Tim Holden in a 2012 Democratic primary, serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
If one of the three DPCC co-chairs pulls ahead in endorsements, the others could fall back and seek reelection to their current leadership posts. But there are already a handful of rank-and-file lawmakers lining up to succeed them. Rep. Joe NeguseJoseph (Joe) NeguseTrump backs bill to establish suffragist monument in DCDemocrats introduce bill to ban chlorpyrifos, other pesticides to protect farmworkersThe feds should not spend taxpayer dollars in states that have legalized weed MORE (D-Colo.), a CBC member and rising star of the freshman class, has been calling colleagues about running for one of the three DPCC co-chair jobs. Neguse and Rep. Veronica EscobarVeronica EscobarAhead of a coronavirus vaccine, Mexico’s drug pricing to have far-reaching impacts on AmericansHispanic Caucus asks for Department of Labor meeting on COVID in meatpacking plantsThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden’s latest plan on racial inequalityMORE (D-Texas) now serve as the two freshman liaisons to Pelosis leadership team; Escobar is running for Hispanic Caucus chair.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair
Most Democrats expect Rep. Cheri BustosCheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosHouse Democrats’ campaign arm raises over .6 million in AugustHouse Democrats’ campaign arm reserves .6M in ads in competitive districtsGOP women’s group launches six-figure campaign for House candidate BiceMORE (D-Ill.) to return for another term heading the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). After a rash of staff resignations last year over complaints about the campaign arms diversity problems, Bustos made a string of new hires prioritizing diversity and seems to have steadied the ship and quieted her critics.
But neither she nor her team are tipping their hand as they turn their focus toward preserving their 232-198 majority this fall.
There are other variables too. If Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden says Trump downplaying coronavirus threat was ‘almost criminal’ Democrats fear Biden’s lagging Latino support could cost himTrump courts Florida voters with moratorium on offshore drillingMORE defeats Trump, it could set off a game of musical chairs that could have a ripple effect in House leadership races, Democratic sources said. For example, if Biden taps Sen. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Backlash grows over Trump’s reported comments on fallen troopsDuckworth says she’ll take ‘wheelchair and my titanium legs’ over Trump’s ‘supposed bone spurs any day’Furor grows over Trump’s reported remarks on war deadMORE (D-Ill.) for a Cabinet role, Bustos, Kelly or another Illinois Democrat could be appointed to her Senate seat.   
Some sources pointed to Cardenas, a talented fundraiser, as someone who could step into the job of DCCC chair if Bustos passes on another term.
There are a lot of wild cards, said a Democratic aide. Some people think [Cardenas] could be a natural pick at DCCC.