Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, has endorsed Rep. Melanie Stansberry (D.M.) to replace Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). Announced. The challenge to Grijalva's leadership came before the Arizona Democratic Party announced it would not seek to remain in the leadership position.
“Congressman Stansberry has made a name for himself as a strategic and tenacious advocate for advancing environmental justice, strengthening tribal sovereignty, and securing water for drought-stricken communities in the West,” Grijalva said Thursday. said in a statement. “Her tenure as Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee is a testament to her leadership in standing up to polluting industries and holding them accountable, even when Democrats don't have the gavel.”
Mr. Grijalva, who is retiring after the term he won in November, announced last week that he was stepping down from his position as the committee's top Democrat, a position he held for 10 years. The Arizona Democratic Party initially told The Hill that it intended to retain its leadership position in the next Congress, but announced on Monday that “the time is right to pass on the torch.”
The 12-term Democratic lawmaker announced an unspecified cancer diagnosis in April and was absent from the Capitol for much of the session for treatment.
Stansbury was elected in 2021 to replace Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Huffman previously called on committee Democrats to appoint Grijalva as an “emeritus ranking member” of the committee, vowing to “look to him as a key partner to guide the committee through the challenges and opportunities of the next two years.” Ta.
The potential for a succession battle stands in stark contrast to the House Judiciary Committee. On the House Judiciary Committee, Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) announced Wednesday that he will cede his position as ranking member to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). The position faces a challenge from the Maryland Democratic Party.
The Hill has reached out to Huffman's office for comment.
