A spirited contest is unfolding within the House Democratic caucus as two prominent members eye a leadership role that may not even be available in the coming term. Representatives Sara Jacobs of California and Lauren Underwood of Illinois are gearing up for a potential race to become the next caucus vice chair, a position presently occupied by Rep. Ted Lieu of California.

The position's future hinges on the outcome of the midterm elections. If the Democrats manage to seize control of the House, current Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would likely ascend to Speaker, prompting shifts in other leadership roles. In such a scenario, Ted Lieu would move up to become the caucus chair, leaving the vice chair slot open for contention.

Rep. Jacobs has officially thrown her hat in the ring with a Dear Colleague letter circulated on Monday. Meanwhile, a source close to Rep. Underwood, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed her intentions to run, though her current focus remains on reclaiming the House majority.

Both Jacobs and Underwood currently hold significant roles within the Democratic Party structure, which adds depth to their candidacies. Jacobs serves as the parliamentarian of the House Democrats’ Steering and Policy Committee and is a regional vice chair for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Underwood co-chairs the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and also leads the DCCC’s Red to Blue program, which targets competitive districts held by Republicans.

The race took a turn when Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, who had been considering a run, decided to withdraw. Her spokesperson, Francis Grubar, stated that while Trahan appreciated the encouragement from her colleagues, she chose to focus on her legislative priorities, including issues related to the regulation of artificial intelligence.

As the Democrats focus on the upcoming electoral battles, the internal jockeying for leadership positions underscores the strategic planning and ambitions within the party. Both Jacobs and Underwood have emphasized their commitment to not only securing their personal advancement but also to the broader goal of steering the Democratic Party towards regaining control of the House and promoting Rep. Jeffries to Speaker.