Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) launched a bid for House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member on Thursday, becoming the first Democrat to formally jump into the race for the party’s top spot on the committee.
“From the Trump administration’s attacks on the rule of law, weaponizing the government against its critics, and decimating the services our constituents rely upon–there is a clear and immediate threat to our democracy,” Garcia wrote in a dear colleague letter. “As citizens, patriots, and members of Congress, we must organize, fight back, and defend the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. I’m ready to help lead that fight.”
Garcia’s bid kicks off the race for the committee’s ranking member spot after the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) stepped back from his daily responsibilities as ranking member earlier this yer due to his battle with cancer. Connolly died earlier this month.
The race is expected to be emblematic of Democrats' broader intraparty debate over generational change.
Garcia, 47, could be one of the youngest members running for the position. So far, Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), 77, and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.),70, have voiced interest in the role. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44, has also expressed interest.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who lost her bid for the position to Connolly late last year, passed on running earlier this month.
A source familiar told The Hill that Garcia is anchoring his bid on being ready on day one, as well as his experience.
Garcia cited his past experience as mayor and chief executive of Long Beach, Calif. The congressman noted that in that past role his team used “audits and data to drive reform, launched new technology to make city services more accessible, and modernized how City Hall operates.”
“We showed that government can be both progressive and effective,” Garcia wrote. “Driven by values powered by innovation, and always working with the people we serve.”
The House Democratic Caucus is slated to hold the election for the ranking member position on June 24.
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