Rep. Joe Crowley has been lying low since his surprising primary loss in June, despite his leadership role in the Democratic Caucus, Politico reports.
"I plan on staying caucus chair," Crowley, the No. 4-ranked House Democrat, told Politico on Tuesday, the same day that the 5th highest-ranked Democrat, California Rep. Linda Sánchez, announced that she is seeking the post. Her fellow California Rep. Barbara Lee may also join the race.
Crowley, D-NY, described Sánchez as "an extremely valuable part of the Democratic leadership team and has a bright future in our caucus."
Crowley, as caucus chairman, is charged with leading their weekly meetings and publicly spreading the party's message.
As House Democrats prepare a major push to take back the lower chamber, the normally press-friendly congressman has shied away from the spotlight following his loss to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Although he gave an interview with CBS on Sunday, his once-weekly press conferences on Capitol Hill have ceased.
A spokesperson for the congressman, Lauren French, denied that Crowley has intentionally avoided media appearances following his defeat.
"This is a non-story. Honest-to-god scheduling conflicts sometimes can get in the way of press conferences, and caucus leadership has held media [sessions] during the period referenced,” she told Politico in a statement.
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