House Democrats are privately "pissed" about hemorrhaging committee leaders

House Democrats are privately grousing about their party's inability to hold down committee leaders — due not just to advanced age, but also ambition.Why it matters: The day after Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said he would resign as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) launched a bid for Senate.Both lawmakers are widely admired by colleagues, but their back-to-back announcements — just months after winning hard-fought leadership races — left some raw emotions, particularly towards Craig.Craig, unlike Connolly, plans to serve out the remainder of her term as ranking member through 2026, her office told Axios."I get a little pissed at these people who are running for the Senate who worked hard to become a ranker and now are about to leave," said one House Democrat, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.Said another: "I think it's irresponsible for someone to run for leadership and then decide three months later they're going to go do something else."State of play: Democrats are now engaged in yet another inter-generational proxy fight as Oversight Committee members past and present position themselves to run for Connolly's role.Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), the 70-year-old senior member serving as "interim" ranking member until Connolly steps down, has said he is running.Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44, is expected to mount a bid, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), 35, considering one as well. Unlike the low-profile, moderate Lynch, both are considered progressive icons.What we're hearing: The first House Democrat who spoke to Axios anonymously said that a major factor in Ocasio-Cortez's deliberations is her recent turn from political stardom to superstardom.The New York Democrat failed in her bid to lead the Oversight Committee last year, but has found a second wind headlining massive rallies across the country with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)."The difference from the last time is AOC's profile has significantly increased," the lawmaker who spoke anonymously said.They added: "I don't know if her hopes are on the Senate now or something else."Between the lines: Even some younger lawmakers who want to see older committee leaders step aside expressed concerns that Craig's run could create obstacles for members like Ocasio-Cortez who are even suspected of eyeing higher office.The second House Democrat who spoke anonymously said that, going forward, House leadership candidates should be asked, "Do you see yourself doing this for a long period of time?""I think that'll be used as an excuse by the people who want to prevent mobility by newer members," said a third House Democrat.Ocasio-Cortez, asked about these fears, told Axios: "There is no race right now, so I'm not going to be commenting on any of that."Yes, but: Other lawmakers leapt to Craig's defense, noting that Sen. Tina Smith's (D-Minn.) retirement was unexpected and arguing that having ranking members move on isn't inherently a bad thing.Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), one of the younger lawmakers who wants the party to make way for its next generation, told Axios: "We just need change. If this is more change, then that's fine too.""As long as she continues doing a great job, which I think she is, I don't see a conflict," a House Democrat on the Agriculture Committee told Axios.A fifth House Democrat who spoke anonymously told Axios: "Who among us is not at risk of seeking higher office, right? I feel like that's not an exclusively younger member challenge."Reality check: It is not unheard of for new committee ranking members to jump at opportunities for higher office.One notable example: Tim Walz, who ran successfully for Minnesota governor during his first term as the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.Far from falling out of his party's good graces, Walz was tapped by Kamala Harris as her running mate last year.What to watch: Some members of the Agriculture Committee already have their eye on replacing Craig in 2027, Axios has learned.Vice ranking member Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) is considering a bid, a source familiar with her thinking told Axios.

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