Last week, Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) announced he was stepping down from his role as Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee to focus on his personal health, but not before endorsing Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) as his replacement on Thursday, complicating Representative Jared Huffman's (D-CA) plans to take the position.
"I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague Representative Melanie Stansbury for Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Stansbury has the experience, vision, policy acuity, and resolve we need to defend and further the historic progress Committee Democrats have made in charting a cleaner, safer, more just future for every American," said Rep. Grijalva in his statement.
The Arizona Congressman further described Rep. Stansbury as having "made her mark as a strategic and tenacious advocate for advancing environmental justice, strengthening tribal sovereignty, and securing water for communities in the drought-stricken West. Her tenure as Ranking Member on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee proves her leadership in standing up to polluting industries and holding them to account, even when Democrats don't hold the gavel. The next four years will be a fight against Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' plan. House Natural Resources will be the frontline of this fight, and I am confident Rep. Stansbury is the right person to lead this critical committee."
Rep. Huffman had been jockeying to challenge Rep. Grijalva for the Ranking Member position, and the path initially seemed clear until the Arizona Congressman endorsed Rep. Stansbury.
The Hill noted that the California Congressman appears to retain the advantage over Rep. Stansbury. Shortly after Grijalva endorsed Stansbury, 23 congressmen endorsed him, including Representatives Colin Allred (D-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). They either lost their seats or moved elsewhere, with Rep. Schiff replacing the late Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in the Senate.
"My whip count is already over 150 and climbing, and that's going to be my singular focus in the days ahead," Rep. Huffman previously told The Hill.
