The Democrat Who Grew Weary of Waiting in Line
As calls for leadership change continue to rise, Rep. Jared Huffman took a bold step by challenging a more senior member of Congress for a prominent committee position.
TroibNews 
For all the ambition currently present in Congress, Democrats often display an astonishing level of patience, waiting their turn for leadership roles. Seniority typically dictates who ascends to prominent committee positions, resulting in lawmakers spending years before they can chair or hold the top ranking on committees. However, this dynamic is shifting following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2024 elections.
Grassroots Democrats have recently sidelined long-serving figures like Reps. Jerry Nadler and Raúl Grijalva, who were the ranking Democrats on the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees, respectively. There’s a push for younger leaders to prepare for a potential future administration under Trump. Among those rising to the occasion is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is vying for a leadership role on the Oversight Committee.
In an interview with the Playbook Deep Dive podcast, Rep. Jared Huffman, who actively campaigned for the Natural Resources position after Grijalva stepped aside, highlighted the generational shift occurring within House Democrats. He mentioned discussions with fellow Rep. Jamie Raskin, who recently succeeded Nadler, about the necessity of challenging their senior counterparts.
“It wasn’t like a chess board or anything like that,” Huffman remarked. “We were both hearing a real desire to have our A team on the field.”
The California Democrat further discussed President Joe Biden's shortcomings, the advice he's disregarding, and how Democrats might approach the forthcoming Trump administration.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney. The complete Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview can be accessed here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Regarding his bid for the Natural Resources Committee’s ranking member, Huffman acknowledged that “intergenerational warfare” might not be the right term for these shifts, especially considering his own age of 60.
When asked about the nature of this generational change, Huffman noted, “That's the great thing about being in Congress: At 60, I get to be young.”
He emphasized the importance of experience while acknowledging the need for renewal. “It is generational change,” he stated, “and I think those will always be important considerations... But there are moments where the torch should be passed.”
During the interview, Huffman discussed how Democrats must navigate messaging and strategy to reconnect with working-class voters, emphasizing a blend of introspection and caution against overreacting in response to recent electoral losses.
He expressed critical views on remarks by figures like Bernie Sanders, particularly regarding the claim that Democrats have neglected the working class. “What a crock. What an absolute crock. Joe Biden and Democrats did more for the working class in the last four years than we've seen in a long, long time,” Huffman countered.
He spotlighted areas where changes could have been beneficial, such as Biden’s decision to seek reelection. “Joe Biden should not have run for reelection... and even by starting down that path, he set us back tremendously,” Huffman asserted.
Reflecting on broader party strategy, he remarked that Democrats need to counter the rhetoric by acknowledging public sentiment while maintaining core values. “Tell the truth and thank the economists for their data. And then you get back to the challenge of people's everyday lives,” he advised.
Huffman articulated hopes for a collaborative effort among different generations within the party, arguing for a diverse team that balances experience with fresh ideas. He reaffirmed his commitment to the Natural Resources Committee while acknowledging the potential challenge from younger colleagues, stating, “I take every challenge seriously.”
He voiced concerns regarding various issues that could arise under a new Trump administration, particularly regarding environmental protections and democratic principles. “Tearing our democracy to shreds... it's about consolidating unprecedented amounts of executive power in the person of Donald Trump,” Huffman warned.
The conversation also touched on potential collaboration with Republican officials in a new administration, emphasizing the need for pragmatic governance while also standing firm against anti-democratic actions.
Addressing the evolving political landscape, Huffman acknowledged the dynamic nature of party politics, reminding that in the long term, public sentiment can shift dramatically. He reiterated the importance of positioning Democrats to highlight the “betrayal” they may face from the incoming administration.
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Grassroots Democrats have recently sidelined long-serving figures like Reps. Jerry Nadler and Raúl Grijalva, who were the ranking Democrats on the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees, respectively. There’s a push for younger leaders to prepare for a potential future administration under Trump. Among those rising to the occasion is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is vying for a leadership role on the Oversight Committee.
In an interview with the Playbook Deep Dive podcast, Rep. Jared Huffman, who actively campaigned for the Natural Resources position after Grijalva stepped aside, highlighted the generational shift occurring within House Democrats. He mentioned discussions with fellow Rep. Jamie Raskin, who recently succeeded Nadler, about the necessity of challenging their senior counterparts.
“It wasn’t like a chess board or anything like that,” Huffman remarked. “We were both hearing a real desire to have our A team on the field.”
The California Democrat further discussed President Joe Biden's shortcomings, the advice he's disregarding, and how Democrats might approach the forthcoming Trump administration.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity by Deep Dive Producer Kara Tabor and Senior Producer Alex Keeney. The complete Playbook Deep Dive podcast interview can be accessed here:
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Regarding his bid for the Natural Resources Committee’s ranking member, Huffman acknowledged that “intergenerational warfare” might not be the right term for these shifts, especially considering his own age of 60.
When asked about the nature of this generational change, Huffman noted, “That's the great thing about being in Congress: At 60, I get to be young.”
He emphasized the importance of experience while acknowledging the need for renewal. “It is generational change,” he stated, “and I think those will always be important considerations... But there are moments where the torch should be passed.”
During the interview, Huffman discussed how Democrats must navigate messaging and strategy to reconnect with working-class voters, emphasizing a blend of introspection and caution against overreacting in response to recent electoral losses.
He expressed critical views on remarks by figures like Bernie Sanders, particularly regarding the claim that Democrats have neglected the working class. “What a crock. What an absolute crock. Joe Biden and Democrats did more for the working class in the last four years than we've seen in a long, long time,” Huffman countered.
He spotlighted areas where changes could have been beneficial, such as Biden’s decision to seek reelection. “Joe Biden should not have run for reelection... and even by starting down that path, he set us back tremendously,” Huffman asserted.
Reflecting on broader party strategy, he remarked that Democrats need to counter the rhetoric by acknowledging public sentiment while maintaining core values. “Tell the truth and thank the economists for their data. And then you get back to the challenge of people's everyday lives,” he advised.
Huffman articulated hopes for a collaborative effort among different generations within the party, arguing for a diverse team that balances experience with fresh ideas. He reaffirmed his commitment to the Natural Resources Committee while acknowledging the potential challenge from younger colleagues, stating, “I take every challenge seriously.”
He voiced concerns regarding various issues that could arise under a new Trump administration, particularly regarding environmental protections and democratic principles. “Tearing our democracy to shreds... it's about consolidating unprecedented amounts of executive power in the person of Donald Trump,” Huffman warned.
The conversation also touched on potential collaboration with Republican officials in a new administration, emphasizing the need for pragmatic governance while also standing firm against anti-democratic actions.
Addressing the evolving political landscape, Huffman acknowledged the dynamic nature of party politics, reminding that in the long term, public sentiment can shift dramatically. He reiterated the importance of positioning Democrats to highlight the “betrayal” they may face from the incoming administration.
Listen to this episode of Playbook Deep Dive on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
