The dam is breaking for Pelosi and Hart

March 23, 2021

“Abandon ship!” – Vulnerable House Democrats

Politico, Fox News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Hill report that vulnerable Democrats are speaking out against Speaker Pelosi and Rita Hart’s effort to subvert democracy and overturn the state-certified results in Iowa’s Second Congressional District.

Here’s what House Democrats are saying:

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips: “Losing a House election by six votes is painful for Democrats. But overturning it in the House would be even more painful for America.”

New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas: “This election result was certified by the State of Iowa and Rep. Miller-Meeks was sworn in nearly three months ago… it’s time to move on.”

Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild: “As I have said before in connection with the 2020 presidential election, legislators should be heeding states’ certifications of their elections.”

California Rep. Lou Correa: “This is an issue that states should have primary responsibility in determining the outcome of the election. The state of Iowa certified it, and that’s what should stand.”

New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer: “I have deep reservations.”

North Carolina Rep. David Price: “I don’t think there’s the slightest chance that that would happen.”

Michigan Rep. Dan Kildee: “Unless we see compelling evidence that there’s something seriously wrong, then we should defer to state and local officials.”

“Moderate” Democrat Rep.: “It strikes me as remarkably hypocritical and a dangerous precedent at a time we need to be repairing precedents.”

Second “Moderate” Democrat Rep.: “As painful as it was to lose this election by six votes, and although I sympathize with Rita Hart, the state certified these election results. Upending them at this point would only serve to further divide the country.”

Democrat aide: “Members are looking at why Democrats are even considering bringing this issue up. It puts us in a terrible position politically, especially for front-line Democrats.”

Democratic aides: “Said a floor vote to overturn the results in Iowa would be a waste of time given that there are already not enough votes in the caucus to do so.”

Who will speak out next? Here are some vulnerable Democrats who were previously very loud about upholding state-certified elections, but have been very quiet about upholding the certified results in Iowa’s Second Congressional District:  

  • Cindy Axne
  • Ron Kind
  • Carolyn Bourdeaux
  • Elaine Luria
  • Abigail Spanberger
  • Sharice Davids
  • Lizzie Fletcher
  • Colin Allred
  • Haley Stevens
  • Tom Malinowski
  • Matt Cartwright
  • Conor Lamb

In case you missed it…

Politico: Dems sound alarm at prospect of overturning Iowa race

CNN: “House Democrats face backlash on both sides for investigating Iowa House race won by a Republican”

The Hill: Moderate Democrats warn leaders against meddling in Iowa race

Fox News: A second House Democrat objects to overturning Iowa congressional election GOP won by six votes

Washington Post: “Resistance grows in both parties to Democratic probe of narrow Iowa race”

Washington Post: Opinion: Democrats care about democracy — until they need to undo a GOP win

Wall Street Journal Editorial: “A Warning to Pelosi on Iowa”

Breitbart: “Democrat House Leadership Struggles With Messaging on Overturning Iowa House Race”

Daily Caller: “‘More Painful For America’: Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips Comes Out Against Pelosi’s Decision To Overturn Iowa Congressional Race”