WASHINGTON, D.C. - Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge says she's considering challenging California Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker.
Fudge said she does not believe Pelosi has enough votes to win the job, as many newly elected Democrats promised not to support her. Opponents to Pelosi are seeking an alternative candidate and have approached her about the job.
"People are asking me to do it, and I am thinking about it," Fudge told cleveland.com. "I need to give it some thought and see if I have an interest. I am at the very beginning of this process. It is just in discussion at this point."
Fudge said voters backed Democrats because they wanted a change, and Pelosi doesn't represent that. Fudge is also dismayed that neither of the party's two top leaders, Pelosi and Maryland's Steny Hoyer, is a minority, and said an African American woman should be in leadership.
"When you look at the people who support this party the most, they are women and African Americans and especially African American women," said Fudge. "We keep talking about diversity, but there is nothing diverse about the top of our ticket. We have to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk."
If she were to seek the Speaker's job, Fudge says her legislative priorities would include fighting student loan debt, making sure people with preexisting medical conditions can get health insurance, and making infrastructure improvements that would help create better paying jobs.
She said the House Democratic caucus is expected to vote on its leadership slate on November 29, with a House of Representatives floor vote in January.
Two of Ohio's Democratic Congress members - Joyce Beatty of Columbus and Marcy Kaptur of Toledo - have said they back Pelosi.
"No possible candidate can match Nancy Pelosi's indefatigable, consistent determination to restore a Democratic majority against tremendous odds," said a statement that Kaptur released Wednesday. "At this critical juncture of restoring a balance of power in the Legislative branch of the federal government, our Caucus' primary consideration should be supporting a proven Leader whose batting average cannot be matched."
Niles-area Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who unsuccessfully challenged Pelosi for Democratic leader two years ago, says he still won't vote for her and is trying to find another candidate for Democrats to coalesce behind. He said he doesn't intend to run against her, but won't rule out doing so.