Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas has ended her campaign to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee after earning minimal support from her colleagues in an internal vote.

After receiving only six votes in the Steering Committee, Crockett exited the race, paving the way for Rep. Robert Garcia of California to become the new ranking member following a full caucus vote, as Breitbart reports.

The position became vacant after Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia stepped down shortly before his death from esophageal cancer. Crockett announced her candidacy on June 3, expressing interest in stronger oversight of President Donald Trump’s conduct in office.

Low support prompts withdrawal

On Monday night, Democrats on the Steering Committee held a vote to determine who would move forward in the selection process. Crockett finished in last place with only six votes among the 62 cast, which led to her withdrawal the next day.

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Crockett said the voting results showed that her approach to leadership didn’t resonate with the committee members.

She remarked that she didn’t feel it was fair to continue pushing, knowing she lacked broader support.

“What I care about is winning,” she added, underscoring her focus on party unity and strategy. She later congratulated Garcia publicly and emphasized the importance of the Oversight Committee’s role in ensuring accountability.

Steering vote highlight's Garcia's advantage

Garcia led the Steering Committee vote with 33 votes, outpacing Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, who received 15 votes, and Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, who earned eight. Mfume also withdrew prior to the full caucus vote.

The final decision was made in a broader vote by the entire House Democratic Caucus. Garcia secured 150 votes, while Lynch received 63, a result confirmed by NBC News sources.

Following his win, Garcia pledged to make effective government a top priority. He said the committee would focus on confronting corruption and making sure the public sees real accountability from past administrations.

Oversight role focused on Trump

One of the main themes of Crockett’s campaign was investigating Trump’s actions, though she clarified she did not advocate for immediate impeachment. Instead, she said she wanted to initiate an inquiry into whether laws or norms had been broken.

Her June 3 press release stated the need to “pull back the curtain on the unmitigated chaos under Trump 2.0” and educate the public on what had occurred. She stressed that facts needed to be presented in a digestible way to engage the American people.

After exiting the race, Crockett maintained her concern that the legislative branch had not yet held Trump accountable. She argued that without action, violations of the Constitution and existing laws would remain unchecked.

Crockett looks ahead

Though disappointed with the outcome, Crockett remained focused on broader Democratic Party goals.

She made it clear her involvement in oversight and accountability would continue, even without the leadership position.

Her public messaging showed a desire for impact beyond just titles. “Let’s get the American people the accountability they deserve,” she wrote, reinforcing her commitment to transparency in government operations.

As Garcia assumes the ranking member role, Democrats appear ready to sharpen their focus on investigative work within the committee.

With both Garcia's and Crockett’s visions centered on Trump-era oversight, the party can now attempt to unify anew.