Pelosi Scrambles as Two More Democrats Quit Ahead of Midterms
Likelihood of Democrats losing control of Congress increases
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is left scrambling to clutch onto her power grip over the House after two more Democrat representatives have just announced their plans to call it quits ahead of the looming midterm elections.
Reps. David Prince (D-NC) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) revealed they plan to retire and will not seek reelection in 2022, potentially shrinking Pelosi’s already-slim majority.
While there's no guarantee the seats will flip to Republicans, the loss of two safe and consistently reelected lawmakers will undoubtedly weaken the Democrats' position.
As Fox News notes, Doyle and Prince “have easily won reelection in their blue-leaning districts in recent years.”
However, “without their guaranteed presence, Democrats’ slim majority in the House becomes increasingly fragile.”
"I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election as representative for North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District,” said a statement from Prince, who represents the Durham area.
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"I do so with a profound sense of gratitude to the voters of the Fourth District; to the supporters who have backed me in 18 successive campaigns; and to my staff in Washington and the district, whose competence and dedication are responsible for the quality of representation and service I have been able to provide,” the reliable Democrat continued.
"So while it is time for me to retire, it is no time to flag in our efforts to secure a ‘more perfect union’ and to protect and expand our democracy … promise, in the fifteen months remaining and beyond, to continue fighting for the just and inclusive country we believe in."
Doyle, who represents the Pittsburgh area, is retiring after serving more than a dozen terms.
This month, speculation has grown surrounding Pelosi's own potential retirement.
However, the Democrat leader seemed to dismiss the rumors.
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As highlighted by The Guardian, Pelosi said at a press conference last month that her “leadership” for the reconciliation bill “was a culmination of my service in Congress because it was about the children.”
This prompted a reporter to inquiry about Pelosi’s use of the word “culmination.”
"Get out of here,” Pelosi said as she appeared to dismiss the speculation.
"The exchange exemplified Pelosi’s other comments about her potential retirement: a hint, chased with a heavy dose of uncertainty,” The Guardian noted.
"Despite her previous promises to fellow House Democrats, it remains unclear whether Pelosi will step down as speaker at the end of this term.”
