House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has unexpectedly called for a delay in leadership elections among the Democrats until after Thanksgiving.
The California Democrat's Friday request came in a letter she sent out after learning that a similar document by other party members was quickly gathering support, Politico reports.
The House Democratic Caucus generally votes on its leadership within the first few weeks after the midterm elections, this year on Nov. 6.
As many as 23 Democrats running for House seats have already said they would not support Pelosi, 78, should she try to become House speaker if the party retakes the chamber, according to reports.
Pelosi, who was first elected in 1986, said in May that she would seek the post if the Democrats prevailed.
She was speaker when the Republicans re-took the House in the first tea party wave in 2010.
"I believe it is important that we follow the schedule for leadership elections that the caucus set last cycle, allowing additional time for freshmen to get oriented," Pelosi said in her letter, according to Politico.
"My recommendation to the caucus would be to set leadership elections sometime after Thanksgiving, at a date to be determined by the caucus."
The effort spearheaded by other Democrats was solidified on Thursday, Politico reports.
About 20 members are behind the effort, initiated by Reps. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Mike Capuano of Massachusetts and John Larson of Connecticut.
Their letter calls for leadership elections on Dec. 5, according to a copy obtained by Politico.
Other Democrats signing the letter include Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth, ranking member of the House Budget Committee.
"Instead of having a leadership election jammed down our throat," one Democrat involved in the effort told Politico, "let's give it some time so that people have opportunity to — especially the new folks — absorb the process."
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