Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced that, should Democrats be successful in winning back the majority in November, she intends to run for Assistant Democratic Leader. This would be the number four post in Democratic House Leadership. Currently, Bustos is the only Midwesterner and the only Trump-District Democrat in elected Democratic Leadership.
During a Moday, October 1, 2018, interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” where she made this announcement, and in a letter she sent to her colleagues that morning, Bustos outlined her vision. The Assistant Democratic Leader position is rooted in drawing from the diversity of the Democratic Caucus, to share best practices in operating a Congressional office. In particular, Bustos would focus on helping guide new and vulnerable members of Congress, so they can achieve lasting success. By taking a proactive approach toward protecting a new Democratic majority, Bustos is committed to helping the entire caucus achieve bold, forward-thinking, and lasting change for the American people.
“As Democrats, our strength has always come from our diversity and, if we win in November, I intend to run for Assistant Democratic Leader, with a focus on protecting a new Democratic majority beyond the 2020 cycle, so we can deliver bold change for the American people,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “My vision for this role will be to engage the entire Caucus to support one another, but particularly our new and most vulnerable members. We will achieve this by sharing best practices and tactics across districts, whether they be urban, suburban, or rural. By fighting for the core Democratic values that unite us while holding President Trump accountable next year, we will achieve a strong, diverse, and lasting Democratic majority.”
Congresswoman Bustos currently serves as a Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC.) In this capacity, she partnered with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and David Cicilline to develop the House Democrats’ “For the People” agenda.
Bustos was first elected in 2012, when she defeated an incumbent Republican in the largely rural and blue-collar 17th Congressional District of Illinois. In each subsequent election, she has increased her margin of victory, by staying focused on the “kitchen table issues” facing hardworking families from her district. In 2016, she won reelection by 20 points, despite the district making an 18-point swing from President Obama in 2012 to President Trump in 2016.
Below is the text of Congresswoman Bustos’s letter announcing her intention to run for Assistant Democratic Leader if Democrats win the majority in November.
Dear Colleague:
As November 6 draws near, I grow increasingly confident we will soon usher in a new Democratic majority. As the only Midwesterner and Frontliner in elected Democratic House Leadership, I understand the unique challenge of succeeding as a Member in a swing seat. Through planning, hard work, and discipline, I won reelection by 20 points the same cycle Donald Trump won my district.
I have been thinking deeply about the way I might best serve our diverse Caucus, if we are entrusted again with the Speaker’s and committee gavels. Encouraged by conversations with so many of you, I intend to run for Assistant Democratic Leader, with a focus on protecting a new Democratic majority beyond the 2020 cycle, so we can deliver bold, forward-thinking, and lasting change for the American people.
As Democrats, our strength has always come from our diversity. My vision for this role will be to engage the entire Caucus to support one another, but particularly our new and most vulnerable members. We will achieve this by sharing best practices and tactics across districts, whether they be urban, suburban, or rural–red, blue, or purple. I will form a one-stop-shop with battle-tested and experienced staff, to guide new Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors, Communications Directors, and District Directors. We will work with them to prepare and execute customized, strategic plans to hit the ground running both in Washington and at home….Throughout the next Congress, we will help Members navigate new challenges that arise by virtue of being in the majority.
Throughout this cycle, I have traveled for and mentored scores of our incredible candidates. Not only will I continue to help them win during these next five weeks, if elected, I promise to also help them achieve lasting success in office, so we can maintain a Democratic majority for the long haul.
It has been my honor to work with David Cicilline, Hakeem Jeffries, and all of you to develop our “For the People” agenda. We could not have achieved this without listening to the tremendous input and insight of our entire Democratic Caucus….I thank all of you for your contributions. I look forward to talking with you directly and hope I will be able to earn your support if we are entrusted with the majority.
By fighting for the core Democratic values that unite us, while holding President Trump accountable next year, we will achieve a strong, diverse, and lasting Democratic majority.
Kindest personal regards,
Cheri Bustos, Member of Congress