JUST IN: AOC Suffers Major Setback In Bid To Become Top Democrat On Key Committee

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came up well short in her bid to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, an influential position that would have given her an elevated platform.

In a private vote among the House Democrats’ Steering and Policy Committee on Monday, House Democrats voted to nominate longtime U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) for the position, according to a report from Axios. The move represents a significant setback for Ocasio-Cortez, though the full Democratic Party caucus will still need to vote on whether to approve the committee’s nomination.

It is rare for a full caucus to rebuke a steering committee’s nomination — which is closely aligned with party leadership — though such a move is not without precedent.

The final vote was not particularly close, with Connolly defeating Ocasio-Cortez by a final tally of 34-27, according to multiple lawmakers who were present for the vote.

Despite the significant setback, AOC has vowed to continue her pursuit of the key position.

As ranking member, the progressive lawmaker would be the most senior member on the House Oversight Committee, which is tasked with ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of federal agencies. The ranking member plays a vital role in shaping legislation by offering amendments, conducting oversight, and offering crucial commentary on committee agendas.

The ongoing fight between Rep. Connolly, 74, and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, comes as several senior Democrats have come up short in committee leadership bids against younger challengers. On Monday, Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), 52, unseated 79-year-old Agriculture Committee ranking member David Scott (D-GA), as well as Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), 72, to lead the Agriculture panel.

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) told Axios that Connolly’s seniority likely played a role in his victory, though it “wasn’t that just that.”

“Everyone sort of made the case that they would be the best to help change the message across the country. … He’s a very good communicator,” he said.

Another member, who spoke with the outlet on the condition of anonymity, blamed AOC’s loss on the committee’s composition, stating that it is “made up of the most senior members.”

Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez are holding out hope in the wake of the vote. “The majority of votes are in the caucus. We’re somewhere between 50 and 70 in [steering], but then it’s going to move up to a much larger 215,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). “The numbers could move. They all have a chance.”