Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) has eased up on his threat to oppose Nancy Pelosi for speaker, Politico reported.
During an interview with a local television station on Sunday, flagged by Politico, Lynch said that during the January vote for speaker he would “obviously” support Pelosi over a Republican. Pelosi’s allies have suggested that voting against Pelosi for speaker would be effectively supporting a Republican.
“If it becomes as a choice between a Republican and Nancy Pelosi, I’ll obviously support Nancy Pelosi,” Lynch reportedly said Sunday. “But I do think we risk losing the majority in the House — we risk having Trump elected for another four years — if the Democrats don’t offer a new direction in the Democratic Party.”
Lynch was one of 16 lawmakers and incoming members who signed a letter of intent to oppose Pelosi.
The comments adds to reports that Pelosi has quietly quelled a rising faction within her party, that was previously intent on dismissing the lame-duck minority leader for new leadership.
