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The 15 Democrats who voted against Pelosi

By Cristina Marcos - 01/03/19 02:13 PM EST
 

Fifteen Democrats voted against returning Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMnuchin says he learned of Pelosi's letter to him about stimulus talks 'in the press' On The Money: Trump makes a late pitch on the economy | US economy records record GDP gains after historic COVID-19 drop | Pelosi eyes big COVID-19 deal in lame duck Pelosi challenger calls delay on COVID-19 relief bill the 'privilege of politics' MORE to the Speaker's chair on Thursday, short of the dozens who originally pledged to oppose her return to power.

The defectors, nearly all freshman lawmakers, didn't all cast their votes for a single alternative candidate.
 
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Three Democrats, Rep. Jim CooperJim CooperHouse Democrat to DeJoy: 'Is your backup plan to be pardoned like Roger Stone?' House Democrats call on State Department for information on Uighur prisoner Ekpar Asat Pelosi weighing bringing House back from August recess early over USPS issues: reports MORE (Tenn.) and freshman lawmakers Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinBipartisan lawmakers call for overhauling medical supply chains The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - One week out, where the Trump, Biden race stands The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Justice Barrett joins court; one week until Election Day MORE (Mich.) and Jeff Van DrewJeff Van DrewThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump to leave Walter Reed l Post-debate polls show Biden building big lead l Coronavirus concerns ahead of VP debate Democrat-turned-Republican Van Drew trails Amy Kennedy in New Jersey House race: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida MORE (N.J.), voted "present," which allowed them to avoid casting a vote in favor of Pelosi without endorsing an actual alternative.
 
Indeed, Pelosi's critics' efforts were hampered last year in large part because they failed to present a candidate who could serve as Speaker instead.
 
But a handful of freshman Democrats in swing districts who promised to oppose Pelosi on the campaign trail followed through on Thursday.
 
Lawmakers can vote for anyone as Speaker, which left defectors room to cast their votes for people outside of Congress. 
 
 
Other defectors voted for current members of Congress.
 
 
The incoming chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Cheri BustosCheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosDemocrats seek wave to bolster House majority GOP sees chance to take out Democratic House campaign chief Energized by polls, House Democrats push deeper into GOP territory MORE (Ill.), drew votes from freshman lawmakers Joe CunninghamJoseph CunninghamDemocrats see Green New Deal yielding gains despite GOP attacks Michigan Republican isolating after positive coronavirus test Chamber-backed Democrats embrace endorsements in final stretch MORE (S.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Mikie SherrillRebecca (Mikie) Michelle SherrillOvernight Defense: Armed Services chairman unsold on slashing defense budget | Democratic Senate report details 'damage, chaos' of Trump foreign policy | Administration approves .8B Taiwan arms sales Democratic House chairman trusts Pentagon won't follow 'unlawful orders' on election involvement Overnight Defense: National Guard says no federal requests for election security help | Dems accuse VA head of misusing resources | Army official links COVID-19 to troop suicides MORE (N.J.) and Abigail SpanbergerAbigail Davis SpanbergerDemocrats seek wave to bolster House majority During pandemic, 'telehealth' emerging as important lifeline to connect patients with caregivers Chamber-backed Democrats embrace endorsements in final stretch MORE (Va.). 
 
 
Pelosi won the support of many of her critics by agreeing last month to serve no more than four more years as the House Democratic leader. Under the terms of the agreement, Democratic leaders would be limited to three two-year terms. 
 
But each leader could serve another term if they secure support from two-thirds of the Democratic caucus. The deal applies retroactively to include the two terms that Pelosi previously served as Speaker from 2007 through 2011.
 
Below is a full list of the 15 Democratic defectors:
 
Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.): former Vice President Joe Biden
Jim Cooper (Tenn.): "present" 
Jason Crow (Colo.): Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
Joe Cunningham (S.C.): Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.)
Jared Golden (Maine): Bustos
Kathleen Rice (N.Y.): Democratic Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams
Max Rose (N.Y.): Duckworth 
Kurt Schrader (Ore.): Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio)
Mikie Sherrill (N.J.): Bustos
Abigail Spanberger (Va.): Bustos
Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) "present"
Jeff Van Drew (N.J.): "present"
Tags Abigail Spanberger Stephanie Murphy Tammy Duckworth Mikie Sherrill Joe Cunningham Elissa Slotkin Jeff Van Drew Kurt Schrader Kathleen Rice Marcia Fudge Nancy Pelosi Cheri Bustos Joe Kennedy John Lewis Jim Cooper Jason Crow Joe Biden Ron Kind Max Rose