The race could become an outlet for some Democrats angry at leadership.
The race to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee has turned into a generational clash between a longtime ally of Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and upstart Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
DeLauro, a senior appropriator who oversees the largest chunk of non-defense spending, enjoys broad support across the Democratic caucus and has secured backing from almost every major outside group in her bid for the gavel. The 77-year-old Connecticut Democrat has long-been considered the likeliest choice to take over the panel, recently rolling out endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers and the president of the National Women’s Law Center
But allies of Wasserman Schultz — eager for generational diversity within the leadership ranks — expect the Florida Democrat who resigned in disgrace as chair of the DNC to pick up strong support, including from freshmen, moderates and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.