U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said President Donald Trump is "terrified" of a "smart, bold Black woman." (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for MoveOn)
Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday a special election to replace Connolly in the House. His death May 21 also left a leadership gap on the House Oversight Committee, and House Democrats are now tasked with electing a new leader to challenge Trump.
Connolly designated Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., as interim ranking member, and the race is on among House Democrats for the open leadership position. Democratic representatives Robert Garcia of California and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland have announced their own bids to lead the committee.
Crockett had signaled her intention to run for ranking member, and the Texas congresswoman's letter to Democrats Tuesday made her bid official.
JASMINE CROCKETT SHARES BIZARRE SONG CLIP CALLING HERSELF 'LEADER OF THE FUTURE'
President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on Air Force One at Miami International Airport April 3, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
"Our country is in an existential crisis driven by an out-of-control Executive with a flagrant disregard for our Constitution, our way of governance, and our very way of life as citizens of a democratic republic," Crockett said in her letter to House Democrats. "The Administration has refused to respect congressional authority, abide by lawful judicial orders, or respond to public outrage."
"The magnitude of these unprecedented times warrants a resistance and tactics never before seen. We must pull back the curtain on the unmitigated chaos under Trump 2.0 and translate our findings to the American people in a way they can digest," Crockett added.
In the letter, Crockett praised President Joe Biden, touted her own achievements during her first two terms in the House and asked for her colleagues' support.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another rising Democratic Party star, said earlier this year she would not seek the top Democratic position on the House Oversight Committee.
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"It’s actually clear to me that the underlying dynamics in the caucus have not shifted with respect to seniority as much as I think would be necessary, and so I believe I’ll be staying put at Energy and Commerce," Ocasio-Cortez's spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement first reported by NBC.
Ocasio-Cortez lost her House Oversight bid to Connolly late last year. Connolly had announced his plan to step back as ranking member of the Oversight Committee after just four months on the job due to the resurgence of his esophageal cancer.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-who-wanted-elon-musk-taken-down-launches-bid-house-oversight-leadership-position