Murtha plans run for Leader if Dems win House

RAW STORYPublished: Friday June 9, 2006

Now anti-war veteran Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has announced that he intends to run against current Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for Majority Leader if the Democrats win the House this fall, Roll Call is reporting.

Excerpts from the Roll Call story follow:
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It has long been assumed that Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) would simply move up to Majority Leader under a Democratic majority, with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) claiming the Speaker’s gavel. Hoyer and Pelosi waged a bitter leadership fight in 2001, which Pelosi won by a 23-vote margin.

Murtha is one of Pelosi’s top allies in the House, one of the architects of her 2001 victory over Hoyer. Earlier this week, Hoyer publicly pledged his loyalty to Pelosi, saying that he wants her to lead the Democrats whether they win or lose this fall.
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