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Three former presidents and ranking members of the House Natural Resources Committee endorsed Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) to serve as the panel’s next Democratic leader, days after outgoing ranking member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) endorsed Rep. Melanie Stansbury (DN.M.) for office.
The letter is signed by former Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who served as the ranking member from 2013 to 2015; former Rep. Nick Rahall (DW.Va.), who served as chairman from 2007 to 2011; and former Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who served as chairman from 1991 to 1995.
The letter claims that Huffman is the best candidate “balancing the technical aspects of environmental policy with a deep understanding of the communities affected by these policies; draw the line against Republican attacks on our environment by maintaining constructive working relationships to achieve bipartisan results whenever possible; honor the intergenerational trust to protect public lands and sacred sites from shortsighted exploitation and degradation; and ensure that underserved communities, including tribal and indigenous voices, are not only included in conversations about the committee’s work, but are elevated and empowered.”
Huffman first announced a leadership bid in November, by which time Grijalva had decided to retain the post for his 12th and final term. The Arizona Democrat, who spent much of the year outside Washington cancer treatment, was reversed soon after, but days later endorsed Stansbury, the ranking member of the panel’s oversight subcommittee, as his successor.
Stansbury is due to deliver remarks about his bid at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Natural Resources is one of multiple House committees facing a shakeup in Democratic leadership in recent weeks.
Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (DN.Y.) announced I would relinquish the position to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), clearing the way for a new Democratic leader on the House Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) faces a dual challenge from Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.).
