Frost won't seek top Democratic seat on Oversight

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said Tuesday he will not seek the top Democratic seat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee if and when the spot opens up before the next Congress.

Frost last week had indicated he was interested in the position but was awaiting a decision from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who had sought the seat in December as lawmakers were heading into the new Congress. Frost had said he would defer to Ocasio-Cortez if she decided to run.

On Monday, Ocasio-Cortez announced she would not seek the position, citing the Democrats' preference for having more senior members at the top of committees. But Frost said he would also forgo a run at the seat, citing at least two reasons. First, he's already a leader of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), the House Democrats' messaging arm. And second, he's not convinced he could win.

"Many reasons. Some personal, and I'm already a DPCC co-chair," Frost said. "I think we're doing really good work there. I don't want to stretch myself too thin. And I'm not sure I'd be super successful in it — in getting it.

"I think I'd be a great Oversight ranker, but I'm not sure if it would work out if I did it this time."

The debate over the top Oversight seat was sparked last week when Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the current ranking member, announced he's stepping back from his daily duties — but not down from the position — while he's being treated for esophageal cancer. Connolly also said he won't seek reelection next year, which has sparked early jockeying among some members of the committee to replace him.

In the meantime, Connolly has tapped Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), another senior member of the committee, to serve as interim ranking member. Lynch said he's also running to fill the seat permanently, whenever that vacancy occurs, and that Connolly is set to endorse him publicly at that time.