South Boston congressman running in committee race, latest Democratic Party proxy battle

Boston Globe

2 days ago

Lynch's standing as the longest-tenured member of the committee might have made him a shoo-in in another era. But the value of longevity has been eroding in recent years and instead the race is wide open, as Democrats have been debating across the party how much value to place on seniority versus infusing the brand with newer-school tactics and energy.
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'People are just coming around to talking to candidates, but I think that it's different this time around,' said Representative Nanette Barragán, of California. 'I don't think there's a lock on this race for anybody.'
Lynch, 70, was selected by the late Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia to temporarily replace him in late April as top Democrat on the oversight committee when Connolly stepped aside amid a worsening cancer prognosis.
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It's the third time Lynch has sought the
post, coming in third twice before.
This time he'll face at least three colleagues, and the competition is stiff.
But Lynch has reason to be optimistic. Just months ago,
Historically, seniority carried significant weight in who would lead committees, with powerful voting blocs like the Congressional Black Caucus supporting the longest-tenured candidates in the field. But that tradition has ebbed over time and is being questioned more intensely amid a re-examination of the
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Lynch said he's making the case to colleagues that experience matters, especially if Democrats flip the House.
'I've served on this committee for 24 years, so I've been involved in every single oversight investigation that we've done over that time,' Lynch said, noting that has included two impeachments. 'It's quite similar to complex, multiparty litigation, where you've really got to be disciplined and organized, and so I think I'm well qualified to do that.'
But House Democrats have increasingly selected younger members for top committee spots, with longtime leaders ceding the way amid challenges on the judiciary, natural resources, and agriculture committees this year. And
some of his competitors say it's time for new blood.
'Over the last several years, these people [for whom] their whole race has hinged on seniority, and people have propped them up just because of seniority, I think they've done the whole seniority system, actually, a big disservice,' said Florida Representative Maxwell Frost, the first member of Congress from Gen Z. 'It harbors resentment in those who did not get their way because of the perceived, you know, pedestal that seniority's put on.'
Crockett, who has drawn public attention for her ability to create viral moments in hearings and engage different audiences, says she possesses communications skills as well as technical chops. She was previously a public defender and private attorney.
'I have represented well over 5,000 people. So as far as going through the investigatory process and being able to do that and dealing with criminals, it's something I am very familiar with,' Crockett said. 'I do have those bona fides to not only be able to do the job, but also communicate out exactly what it is that I've done and why it should matter.'
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But Crockett has also raised eyebrows with her high profile moments, including
Though lawmakers have been expressing their desire to run for the position in the weeks since Connolly stepped back as ranking member, the official race has only just begun. This week is the first opportunity for declared candidates to lobby their colleagues in person. They'll have three weeks to do so —House Democrats will vote on the position in a secret ballot June 24.
No one is confidently predicting an outcome. With four candidates in the race, results could be unpredictable and take multiple rounds of voting. Lynch is likely to draw support from his Massachusetts colleagues, but they are only nine members of the
House Democratic caucus.
As lawmakers weigh questions of experience and style, the personal campaigning may be most key, said California Representative Jimmy Gomez, who said he hadn't yet decided on a candidate.
'I think it's a multifaceted offense, like, who has good relationships with the members, who burned bridges, who built bridges, who's been a team player, and who can demonstrate that the position is not about them, but the entire caucus, right?' Gomez said. 'Are you messaging for, you know, 'I'm just gonna try to get more followers on Instagram and Tiktok ... and try to get on MSNBC,' or 'I'm gonna try to message for the entire Democratic caucus in order to win back the House.''
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Tal Kopan can be reached at