Congressman Seth Moulton (D., Mass.) faced backlash at a town hall in his district on Monday for his efforts to oust House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) as the party's leader in the House.
Pelosi seeks to become speaker of the House again now that her party has retaken the chamber.
"The majority of Americans want this. The majority of Democrats want this change," Moulton said to the crowd. Some members of the audience interrupted with yells of "no."
One audience member said, "This is what the Republicans are saying … they just don’t like Washington: 'get rid of everybody, put this guy in.' And it feels like you don’t think there’s a skill set necessary…"
WBZ at 11p -- Congressman Seth Moulton holds Town Hall in Amesbury and his constituents want to talk to him about his battle with Nancy Pelosi. Rep Moulton, "The majority of Americans want this change. The majority of Democrats want this change". Audience, "No!!". pic.twitter.com/63b638P4T5
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) November 20, 2018
Moulton, who won a primary against a Democrat incumbent in 2014, has been considered a rising star in the party because of his age and experience in the military. But his vocal opposition to Pelosi might cause him to lose influence and support among Democrats.
Moulton joined 15 other Democratic representatives or soon-to-be representatives in signing a letter saying they would oppose Pelosi as speaker during the floor vote.
"We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service for our Country and our Caucus," the letter reads. "She is a historic figure whose leadership has been instrumental to some of our party's most important legislative achievements."
"However," the letter continued, "we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington. We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise. Therefore, we are committed to voting for new leadership in both our Caucus meeting and on the House Floor."
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D., Ohio), who also signed the letter, is contemplating a run against Pelosi. She told the Washington Post in an interview that she's been "overwhelmed" by all the support from some of her Democratic colleagues. She told the Post there are "probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately told her they would be willing to vote against Pelosi.
Moulton has praised Fudge and encouraged her to run.
In July, Pelosi called Moulton "inconsequential," saying he and those opposing her leadership don't have a following in the caucus.