WASHINGTON _ House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday brushed off potential challenges to her continuing in that role next year, saying the notion actually helps her.
Pelosi, who took the role of top House Democrat in 2002, acknowledged there was "unease" in her caucus after the party was stunned by the election that sent Donald Trump to the White House.
Pelosi said the notion that other Democratic members might run against her in a Nov. 30 congressional election actually helps her. No member has formally stepped forward to create a contested election.
"It almost did my favor by asking before I even ask for support," Pelosi said. She said she believes she has the two-thirds majority to be re-elected.
Pelosi added that members expressed the notion that term limits may be imposed on ranking memberships to allow more members to serve in higher roles in the House, which she did not rule out.
"If you want that you have to go fight for it," Pelosi said.
Rank-and-file House Democrats pressed for a delay in leadership elections scheduled for Thursday until the caucus can come up with a strategy moving forward and assess election results.
