Three former chairs and ranking members of the House Natural Resources Committee endorsed Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) to serve as the panel’s next Democratic leader, days after outgoing ranking member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) endorsed Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) for the post.
The letter is signed by former Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who served as ranking member from 2013 to 2015; former Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), who served as chair from 2007 to 2011; and former Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who served as chair from 1991 to 1995.
The letter asserts Huffman is the best candidate to “balance the technical aspects of environmental policy with a deep understanding of the communities affected by those policies; to draw the line against Republican attacks on our environment while maintaining constructive working relationships to achieve bipartisan results whenever possible; to honor the intergenerational trust of protecting public lands and sacred sites from shortsighted exploitation and degradation; and to ensure that underserved communities including tribal and indigenous voices are not only included in conversations about the committee’s work, but are lifted up and empowered.”
Huffman first announced a bid for leadership in November, at which time Grijalva had resolved to retain the position for his 12th and final term. The Arizona Democrat, who spent much of the year outside of Washington for cancer treatment, reversed himself soon after, but days later endorsed Stansbury, ranking member on the panel’s oversight subcommittee, as his successor.
Stansbury is set to deliver remarks on her bid at the Capitol Tuesday.
Natural Resources is one of multiple House committees facing a shakeup in Democratic leadership in recent weeks.
Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) announced he would cede the post to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), clearing the way for a new Democratic leader on the House Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) faces dual challenges from Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.).
