Kaptur endorses Pelosi for speaker

WASHINGTON — For those counting, two Ohio Democrats are now backing Nancy Pelosi for U.S. House speaker and two are opposed — with one reportedly considering a run herself.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur announced Wednesday that she will back Pelosi for speaker, joining Rep. Joyce Beatty, D–Jefferson Township, who was one of the first House Democrats to announce her support for Pelosi after Democrats won the House majority on Nov. 6. Beatty has been whipping up support from fellow Democrats for Pelosi.

Separately, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Cleveland, told Cleveland.com that she is considering running herself.

In a lengthy written statement sent by her office, Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat, said Pelosi “presents the broadest experience and soundest measure to be reelected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, a position second-in-line to the Presidency.”

“Through wars, deep recessions, September 11 and other national and legislative challenges — time and again her leadership demonstrated putting the national interest first, grace under pressure, dogged dedication to assisting her colleagues and an openness to listening to all points of view,” she said, adding that “no possible candidate can match Nancy Pelosi’s indefatigable, consistent determination to restore a Democratic majority against tremendous odds.”

That stance is at odds with that of Fudge and Rep. Tim Ryan, D–Niles, who ran against Pelosi for minority leader in 2016. Both plan to vote against her this year. Fudge said before the election that she supports Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, for speaker, but Clyburn has since indicated he does not plan to seek the top House position.

There are four Democrats in the state’s U.S. House delegation. Pelosi