Pelosi re-elected as House Democratic leader

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

published 30 November 2016

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) won re-election to her post Wednesday, staving off a challenge from Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. In a closed-door meeting, Pelosi narrowly secured the two-thirds support she previously declared she had, landing 134 votes while Ryan snagged 63 in the secret-ballot vote.

Pelosi has led the Democratic caucus since 2002 and was largely expected to retain her leadership position, though Ryan proved a surprisingly strong challenger as Democrats rally for a change after the presidential election upset. However, Pelosi's lengthy record proved decisive as Democrats appeared to prioritize experience in the face of the looming legislative challenges posed by President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

Still, the fact that more than 60 Democrats voted against her suggests Pelosi's battle is far from won. "There's a whole lot of anger," an anonymous Democrat who opposed her told The Huffington Post. "I'm astounded that this caucus refuses to acknowledge reality and change." Another House Democrat, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), issued a statement calling the decision a "double down" on a "failed strategy." Becca Stanek