In what could become a showdown for the No. 2 spot in Democratic House leadership, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer announced Friday that he would consider a run for Minority Whip, a position South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn says he intends to keep in 2011.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also announced Friday that she will run for Minority Leader, Hoyer’s current position, which has forced him to explore new options within the party.
“I have received an outpouring of support from Democratic colleagues who have told me that I should remain in our party’s leadership, so that our caucus can hit the ground running with a strong, tested leadership team,” Hoyer said in a statement. “Over the next several days, I will continue to speak to my colleagues about serving our Caucus as Democratic Whip, and I will announce a decision after I have consulted with them.”
The change in leadership comes after Republicans netted at least 60 seats in Tuesday’s election, granting them control of the chamber in the 112th Congress.