Democrat from Ohio says she will not challenge Pelosi as president | New policies

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated press

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrat Marcia Fudge, Nancy Pelosi's main potential rival for the presidency of the House, withdrew from the race on Tuesday, a blow to efforts to overthrow the California Democrat.

Fudge announced his decision just when Pelosi said she was appointing the Ohio congressman to chair a new election subcommittee to look into the situation. 39; access to voting rights, one of the main priorities of the new Democratic majority. The move also took place the same day that Fudge was questioned about his past support for a man suspected of stabbing his ex-wife.

According to Ms. Fudge, her candidacy for the position of Speaker was in part "to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness at all levels of the House". She was "now convinced that we will go forward together," she said in a statement.

As a former president of the influential Congressional Caucus, Black, Fudge assured that she had been reassured by Pelosi, assuring that black women, in particular, "will have a place at the table." decisions".

Pelosi's move to reactivate the House Administration Committee Election Subcommittee is an example of the ability of the Leader's office to distribute illegal tasks to – or to retain – legislators when they are not. she strives to support the votes to become president.

Pelosi said that Fudge had "played a leading role in our efforts to protect voters" and that in his new position, the Congressman "would play a vital role in the efforts of our democratic majority to guarantee the protection of voters." access to the urn to all Americans ".

Pelosi launched the committee that was dormant in recent years under the majority of the GOP and has passed the mallet to Fudge.

The turn of events comes as Democratic lawmakers are on Thanksgiving leave before an in camera vote next week on the new leadership.

Democrats should vote for Pelosi as their presidential candidate, but it is unclear whether she will have enough support from her ranks in the full House vote in January.

Pelosi's candidacy was reinforced on Tuesday by the praise of former President Barack Obama.

Obama said that once the story is written, Pelosi will be remembered as "one of the most effective legislative leaders this country has ever seen". He described it as an "extraordinary partner" during his presidency.

"Nancy is not always the best on a cable TV show or with a quick little phrase, but her talent, tenacity, tenacity, and vision are remarkable," said Obama on the podcast "The Axis." Files ".

At least 16 Democrats signed a letter in favor of new leadership and several new lawmakers said they would not vote for Pelosi.

But Pelosi has several weeks during the holiday season to listen to legislators and may be able to strengthen his support.

Earlier Tuesday, Fudge was examined for his past support for Lance Mason. In recent years, she had been among several personalities who had written letters of support to Mason, a former county judge and senator, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to defeating Aisha Fraser Mason to such an extent that her face had need a reconstruction operation.

Fraser Mason, teacher and mother, was stabbed to death on Saturday. Lance Mason is suspected of murder and should be charged, authorities said Monday.

Police said in court documents that the ex-judge was fleeing the scene of the homicide when he hit his sport utility vehicle in a patrol car.

Fudge said in a statement Tuesday that his efforts to vouch Lance Mason three years ago were based on "the person I knew for almost 30 years".

"The person who committed these crimes is not the Mason Lance I know, these are horrible crimes and I condemn them," Fudge said. "Me and all who knew Aisha mourn her loss."

Dozens of letters were written on behalf of Mason between his arrest in August 2014 for the first attack on Fraser Mason and his disciplinary record before the Ohio Supreme Court in October 2017. The judge, who was working for Mason , counted among his editors in support of Mason. Cleveland 19 News tweeted a copy of a letter that Fudge wrote to the local attorney.

"Lance accepts full responsibility for his actions and assured me that this will never happen again," Fudge wrote in his letter.

"Lance Mason is a good man who made a very bad mistake," she added. "I can only hope that you can see in Spear what I and others see."

Associated Press editors Lisa Mascaro and Alan Fram in Washington contributed to this report.

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