Clyburn Up For New "Assistant Leader" Position

By AJ Swartwood

A Democratic Caucus source indicated Tuesday that the position of Assistant to the Leader will now be known as simply Assistant Leader, pending a vote in the Democratic Caucus elections Wednesday.

That post, which is expected to be filled by current House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), would be the third ranking position in the party and would act as a compromise to a Democratic party that is grappling with a shift in power to the House Republicans. Although details on the position’s responsibilities are limited, it was created by party leadership to avoid a potentially divisive struggle for power in the soon-to-be-minority Democratic party between Clyburn and current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who is also seeking to be second in House Party leadership as Minority Whip. 

Current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will likely retain the Democratic Party Leadership role as the Minority Leader. But, despite Pelosi’s declared intention to seek the Minority Leadership, nothing is confirmed until the caucus officially nominates and votes on her bid to become the House Minority Leader. Pelosi has expressed her plans to give Clyburn the number three position in the House leadership.

“Should I receive the privilege of serving as House Democratic Leader, I will be very honored to nominate our outstanding colleague, Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, to serve in the number three House Democratic position,” said Pelosi in a letter sent to House Democrats.