What comes next if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decides to step down as top Democrat

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi walks into the Capitol on November 17, 2022.Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to address her political future in a floor speech on Thursday.

If she decides to leave after nearly two decades atop the House Democratic Caucus, it could trigger contentious elections to succeed her and fill out the rest of the Democratic leadership team.

Elections for the party’s top House leadership posts are set to be held on November 30.

With House Republicans set to take control of the chamber in January, Democrat will be in the minority, and the party’s top official will be the House Minority Leader.

Who could be House Minority Leader?

Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, 52, and Steny Hoyer of Maryland, 83, are both in contention for job.

Jeffries, currently the party’s caucus chair, is widely known to be pursuing the post, but has publicly remained quiet about his plans as Pelosi mulls her decision.

“We’re focused right now on welcoming our new members,” said Jeffries at a press conference on Tuesday, declining to elaborate further on the future of Democratic House leadership.

Hoyer, the current House Majority Leader, could also announce a bid but has remained mum on his plans so far.

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California was reportedly set to pursue the job as well, but has instead opted to pursue a Senate bid, according to Politico.

What about the rest of the leadership team?

It is less clear who might fill out the rest of the leadership team, which includes the positions House Minority Whip, assistant Democratic leader, chair of the House Democratic caucus, and caucus vice chair.

Current House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina has told reporters that he plans to remain in leadership, but hasn’t specified what position he will seek.

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If either Hoyer or Jeffries are not elected to the position of Minority Leader, either could seek a different job in leadership.

Democratic Reps. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California — currently the assistant Speaker and the caucus vice chair, respectively — are also said to be pursuing leadership positions.

Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado, elected to the House in 2018, has announced his intention to serve as caucus chair.

And several candidates are vying for vice caucus chair, including Reps. Ted Lieu of California, Debbie Dingell of Michigan, Joyce Beatty of Ohio, and Madeline Dean of Pennsylvania.

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