Despite speculation that he may have been ousted from his post as caucus chairman after the Democrats lost their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 2, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson was re-elected to the post Wednesday and will serve again as the fourth ranking member in Democratic leadership.
“My leadership position will continue to allow me to do more for Connecticut and the 1st District as a whole,” Larson said in a press release. “I have used this position to bring administration officials and fellow members of Congress to Connecticut to learn more about our state firsthand, increase our trade opportunities for local businesses through visits by foreign diplomats and ambassadors, and represent the views of Connecticut residents on important issues in meetings with the president and congressional leadership.”
It was unclear after the election if Larson would be ousted in the game of musical chairs following the change in the House majority, because the Minority Caucus has traditionally had one less leadership position than the Majority Caucus. This set up the possibility that Larson would be bumped out in a power struggle between U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Jim Clyburn.
However, House Democrats — led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi — voted to create a new leadership position for Clyburn called “Assistant Leader.” Hoyer was elected to the Minority Whip post, and Larson kept his post.
The outcome leaves House Democrats standing pat with exactly the same leadership team they had before the election.
