Opposition to Pelosi dividing Democrats

Some seeking House seats in midterms favor dumping leader

WASHINGTON — As Democrats gear up for what they hope is a fruitful midterm election for their party, they’re also dealing with a one–two punch of turbulence within their own ranks.

First, Democratic New York Rep. Joe Crowley, a well–liked establishment Democrat in a leadership position, suffered a shocking primary loss Tuesday to newcomer Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez. Meanwhile, some 20 Democratic House candidates said they would not vote for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for House speaker if Democrats take back the House this fall, according to a tally by D.C. publication Politico. That opposition is led by Democrat Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, who won a surprising upset in his Pennsylvania special election in March.

Even as analysts focus on the often–chaotic state of the Republican Party, the identity crisis in the Democratic Party — highlighted by the 2016 presidential primary battle between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton — lives on.

“Neither political party is exactly unified as we head into the midterm elections,” said Mark Caleb Smith, director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University in southwestern Ohio. He said animosities still linger between the Sanders and Clinton wings. Pelosi Ryan