After watching Majority Leader Steny Hoyer conduct an overt campaign to become House minority whip next year, current Whip Jim Clyburn is starting to make a more public play for the leadership office.
Last night, the Democratic Conference’s Vice Chair Xavier Becerra became the first member of leadership to endorse in the contest — and picked Clyburn.
“James Clyburn deserves to be reelected Democratic Whip in the 112th Congress,” Becerra said in a statement. “Through some of the toughest legislative efforts in recent history–from health care to Wall Street reform–Mr. Clyburn found us the votes when they counted most. He fought to pass legislation that is putting America back to work and laying the foundation for a future where America leads the world in the new energy economy. He is a stalwart supporter of fixing our broken immigration system and providing every American a decent education and an equal shot at the American Dream. James Clyburn has my vote to continue as our Whip in the 112th Congress.”
Lynn Woolsey, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus also backed Clyburn.
“I support Mr. Clyburn. They both have been effective leaders, but Jim Clyburn is our whip, and he’s been a good whip,” she told The Hill.
She’s joined by Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Barbara Lee — co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus — who urged caucus members in a letter to back Clyburn.
Clyburn has maintained a relatively low profile since the election, at least compared to Hoyer. Clybrun’s press office has not been nearly as aggressive as Hoyer’s in publicly pushing their man for the job, choosing instead to work the inside track to outnumber Hoyer within the caucus.
