Could the ‘Squad’ Replace Pelosi As Speaker After GOP Flips Several House Seats?

Nancy Pelosi has been the subject of some ridicule as Republicans celebrate flipping several House seats in the election, opening the door to a potential progressive challenger for the position of House Speaker.

Pelosi’s shrinking majority comes as Democrats were hopeful heading into Tuesday that they could significantly expand their ranks in the House, only to see Republicans get a net gain of 6 seats thus far.

The Daily Mail reports that Republicans are on track to net 10 seats overall.

At least 13 new Republican women so far have won, a massive win for the GOP. After all, Democrats had expected to pick up 10-15 seats themselves.

Will this major shift affect Pelosi’s ability to win enough votes and retain her position as Speaker of the House?

“Americans diminished Speaker Pelosi’s House majority and appear to have kept Republicans in control of the Senate as a brake on the left’s agenda.”https://t.co/cj8OrqHSnW

— GOP (@GOP) November 5, 2020

Republicans Taunt Speaker Pelosi After Losing So Many House Seats

Republicans leaped at the opportunity to chide Pelosi, not only for the losses but for the possibility of her facing a challenge from a radical progressive for the role of Speaker.

“I mean Nancy Pelosi doesn’t even have a majority where she can be elected speaker again,” said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN). “Whoever would have guessed that it’d be possible that Nancy Pelosi might not be the speaker?”

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Pelosi would struggle to retain the speakership as well.

“I know the vote on the floor is difficult for Speaker. I know there was a number of people who did not vote for her last time,” McCarthy said

“And as our numbers continue to grow, I think at the end of the day, no matter where we end up, we’ll be able to have a very big say, or even run the floor when it comes to policy.”

Is the Squad Poised to Take Her Out?

The idea of a progressive challenge to Pelosi is bolstered by two things and both involve the ‘Squad.’

• ‘Squad’ leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her dissatisfaction with how the elections went, particularly her party’s inability to reach out to Latino voters.
• That same ‘Squad’ picked up some new members.

How about we ditch Pelosi as speaker, elevate the Squad/Progressives, and speak to the working class majority!

— Patrick (Antifa is an idea) Bruck 🍞🌹 (@scott_satzer) November 4, 2020

Far-left Democrat Cori Bush, the newest member of the ‘Squad’ led by AOC, won her race to become the first black congresswoman in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Tuesday night.

The Daily Mail also notes other victors who might be considered additions to the ‘Squad’ – New York’s Jamaal Bowman and Mondaire Jones.

And every current squad member won their re-election bids on Tuesday.

“Pelosi will have a lot of explaining to do,” the Mail writes, “after House Democrats lost several incumbencies to the GOP and was unable to topple some at-risk red districts.”

AOC supported Pelosi for Speaker in 2018 saying, “So long as Leader Pelosi remains the most progressive candidate for Speaker, she can count on my support.”

It will be interesting to see if she can count on that support again or if the ‘Squad’ will put up their own challenger.

Read more at the Political Insider