Congress

Inside the Shadow Race to Be the Top Democrat on Oversight

Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Robert Garcia, Stephen Lynch and Ro Khanna are all considering a run to be one of the Democratic Party’s top messengers. But no one can be too public about it.

Jamie Raskin, Robert Garcia and Jasmine Crockett
Reps. Jamie Raskin, Robert Garcia and Jasmine Crockett conduct a news conference in the Rayburn Building. Tom Williams/AP

By Riley Rogerson and Daniella Diaz

May 7, 2025 05:35 AM

Make no mistake: The race to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has begun.

It’s just that the candidates can’t be too open about it.

After Rep. Gerry Connolly — the current top Democrat on the committee — announced he would step back from the role in light of his esophageal cancer returning, Democrats on the Oversight panel have begun jockeying for the job. Delicately. Quietly. In the shadows.