Rep. Jasmine Crockett announces her candidacy to lead the House Oversight Committee after Rep. Connolly's death.

Crockett Makes Formal Move to Succeed Late Rep. Connolly

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, has officially launched her campaign to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. Her announcement comes just weeks after the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who previously held the post until stepping back due to illness. Crockett had served as Vice Ranking Member under Connolly during the 119th Congress.

“These are not normal times — and this cannot be a business-as-usual moment,” Crockett stated on X as she declared her candidacy. In a letter to Democratic colleagues, she emphasized the urgency of the current political climate and her commitment to defending the Constitution, standing up for American families, and ensuring accountability from the executive branch.

Connolly’s passing on May 21 left not only a vacant House seat but also a leadership gap on the Oversight Committee. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has called for a special election to fill the congressional vacancy. In the meantime, Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., has been named interim ranking member.

Several Democrats have joined the race to succeed Connolly, including Reps. Robert Garcia of California and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland. Crockett’s formal entry into the contest positions her as a high-profile contender, thanks to her national recognition and active presence during high-profile committee hearings.

Viral Moments and Controversies Shape Crockett’s Profile

Crockett, a two-term congresswoman, has gained notoriety for a series of viral moments that have elevated her visibility within the party. She previously drew criticism for comments targeting entrepreneur Elon Musk, saying on social media she hoped to “see Elon taken down” on her birthday—remarks she later clarified as a call for nonviolent resistance.

She also faced backlash for calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels,” a comment she later walked back, labeling the reaction a “distraction.” In another widely publicized exchange, Crockett coined and trademarked the phrase “bleach blonde, bad built, butch body” during a verbal dispute with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

President Donald Trump has also publicly commented on Crockett, calling her a “low I.Q. person,” further fueling national attention around her congressional role.

In her letter to colleagues, Crockett praised President Joe Biden and reiterated her legislative accomplishments, framing her campaign for committee leadership as a strategic response to what she described as an “existential crisis” under Trump’s second term. She accused the administration of ignoring congressional authority and vowed to bring transparency to what she termed “unmitigated chaos.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., had been seen as a potential candidate for the role but confirmed she would not seek the position, citing internal caucus dynamics related to seniority.

The Democratic caucus is expected to choose a new ranking member in the coming weeks, with the selected lawmaker assuming a key role in shaping the party’s oversight strategy amid a contentious political environment.