Robert Garcia kicks off House Democrats' next generational proxy battle

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on Thursday formally launched his bid to become ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.Why it matters: The 47-year-old Democratic leadership member is likely to be pitted against a pair of septuagenarian colleagues with more seniority, making this a proxy battle in Democrats' ongoing generational war.The role came vacant last week with the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) at 75. Connolly beat out 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) last year for the position.Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), 70, and Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), 77, have both expressed interest in succeeding Connolly, as has Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44.What they're saying: In a three-page "dear colleague" letter announcing his candidacy, Garcia wrote that Democrats need to "organize" and "fight back" against the Trump administration."I'm ready to help lead that fight ... [and] to ensure we hold those in power accountable and protect democracy for the next generation," he said.Garcia cited his tenure as mayor of Long Beach, in which he "used audits and data to drive reform, launched new technology to make city services more accessible, and modernized how City Hall operates."The intrigue: Democrats have struggled to hold down a House Oversight Committee leader, having churned through four in the last six years.Two, Connolly and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), died in office.Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) lost her primary in 2022, while Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) jumped over to lead the Judiciary Committee last year.Lynch currently serves as the acting ranking member. He is second in seniority on the panel after Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), 87.What's next: House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) plans to schedule a vote for the position June 24, according to guidance he sent to colleagues earlier this week.That will require the caucus to vote to waive a rule that requires committee leadership vacancies to be filled within 30 days. Aguilar said he wants to "ensure that the Caucus has sufficient time to hear from all candidates."

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