© Yuri Gripas/Reuters
After four years leading House Democrats' electoral arm, Rep. Steve Israel is getting a role developing messaging.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced she will give the Long Island Democrat the newly-created role of Policy and Communications Chair for House Democrats.
Pelosi also said she will name Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) to replace Israel as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Well-liked and seen as a rising star in the Democratic Caucus, Lujon, who just won a fourth term, will help Democrats appeal to Hispanic voters they hope will turnout heavily in 2016.
Israel has faced criticism from fellow Democrats for seeking a leadership post after the party lost at least a dozen seats in this year's midterm election.
But his close relationship with Pelosi, who is expected to be reelected Democratic leader on Thursday without opposition, meant Israel will be rewarded for doing the difficult job of DCCC chair.
'You have no idea how happy I am,' Israel joked at press conference Monday, while throwing his arm over Luján's shoulder. 'This may be the happiest day of my life.'
Israel said he will work with Democrat's Steering and Policy Committee to develop messaging aimed at cementing Democrats' appeal to the middle class.
That means addressing the 'acute anxiety' of middle class voters who have not felt the benefits of recent economic growth, he said.
Israel will 'an invaluable asset to our Caucus, working closely with the Steering and Policy Committee to develop our Caucus message, jumpstart the middle class and reignite the American dream,' Pelosi said in a statement.
Pelosi, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) the third ranking House Democrats, along with Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and Joe Crowley (D-Queens), the chair and vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus, are all expected to reelected to their current roles on Thursday.
Pelosi will formally name Israel and Luján after she is reelected leader.
Pelosi said she will name Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), and Rep. Rosa De Laura (D-Conn.) as co-chairs of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which controls members' committee assignments.
Posted by Unknown on Monday, November 17, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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