Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) faced a surprising setback on Monday, finishing last among the candidates in her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. She ultimately withdrew from the race.
In a video posted following the internal vote by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, Crockett acknowledged, “I placed last in the recommendation from steering policy. And so with that, I am not going to be playing full caucus for a vote tomorrow.”
Crockett blamed the loss on “recent questions about something that just wasn’t true,” offering no details but insisting, “I’m always loud and proud about everything that I have to say. But it did cause me some issues for sure.” She added, “I’m going to gracefully bow out because it just kind of is what it is, right? Like it just is what it is.”
Her final comments on the race, filled with vague justifications and repetition, didn’t inspire much confidence. “It just kind of is what it is,” she repeated multiple times in the clip.
The Texas Democrat officially announced her candidacy on June 3, issuing a passionate statement criticizing the Trump administration and pledging to mount a strong resistance if elected. “The magnitude of these unprecedented times warrants a resistance and tactics never before seen,” she wrote in her campaign letter to colleagues, promising to “pull back the curtain on the unmitigated chaos under Trump 2.0.” However, when all was said and done, Crockett couldn’t even get the support of her own colleagues.
The Oversight Committee, one of the most influential panels in Congress, is expected to play a pivotal role in scrutinizing the federal government—particularly if Republicans lose control of the House in 2026. Following the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) in May, House Democrats elected Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) as the new ranking member, selecting him over Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) in the final vote.
Crockett, considered by some in the media a rising left-wing voice with a strong social media following, has now faced her second defeat in a bid for a congressional leadership position. In November, Crockett came up short in her attempt to chair the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee—a key position responsible for shaping the party’s messaging strategy. With the Democratic Party at a crossroads and younger members increasingly advocating for change, her setback underscores the ongoing challenges of breaking into the upper ranks of House leadership.
In contrast, Garcia’s victory reflects a preference among Democrats for a more measured and seasoned voice to confront Republicans on the Oversight Committee. Known for steering clear of attention-grabbing tactics, Garcia gained early support from senior members and party leadership, giving him a decisive advantage once Crockett’s campaign began to lose momentum.
