Rep. Robert Garcia Elected Ranking Democrat On Powerful Oversight Committee

LONG BEACH, CA — Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) has been chosen to lead the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee in a generational shift amid an intense power struggle within the Democratic Party.

Garcia, 47, was one of four Democrats looking to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee since Rep. Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia stepped down in April after announcing his cancer had returned. Connoly died in May at the age of 75.

Two other Democrats looking to get the top spot on the committee, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, dropped out of the race Monday.

On Tuesday, Garcia beat out Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Massachusetts) in a 150-63 vote, and he was formally elected as a ranking member.

Following his election, Garcia said in a statement on X that he was "honored" to have been elected to serve as the ranking member and will "hold Donald Trump and his Administration accountable for their corruption - and work to make our government more effective for the American people."

"Let's get to work," he added.

His election comes at a time when Democrats are seemingly going through an identity crisis following last year's elections, with the old guard trying to keep its place and the younger generation vying for power.

Democrats are currently the minority on the committee, but Garcia's election puts him in line to become the chairman if they were to retake the House in 2026. When Democrats won the House in 2018 during Trump's first term, the committee launched several investigations into the administration.

In a statement, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) congratulated the second-term congressman.

"Following the passing of our friend and colleague, Gerry Connolly, Ranking Member Garcia has big shoes to fill," Comer said in the statement. "While I’m sure we’ll have our fair share of spirited debates and disagreements, I look forward to working together wherever we can find common ground."

As a Congressman, Garcia represents California's 42nd District spanning from Avalon to Huntington Park in Los Angeles County. That includes Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach, a city where he spent the majority of his career as a politician — serving on the city council from 2009 to 2014 before an eight-year term as mayor.

This experience is what would make him the most promising candidate to lead the committee, he previously told his colleagues.

“I think what’s important is that this party…at this moment is looking at expanding the tent,” Garcia told reporters. “And I think experience is incredibly important. I think I can bring that experience. I feel ready. But I also think it’s an opportunity to bring in newer voices to the leadership and to this committee.”

AP News contributed to this report.