The Democratic congressman seeking to oust longtime House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said on Sunday that retaking the majority requires a "new message and new messenger" who can reach out to the rural voters who overwhelmingly voted for President-elect Donald Trump.
Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio told Fox News that Republicans have successfully "sank" House Democrats over the past six years by running ad campaigns that tie Pelosi to the party's candidates, Real Clear Politics reported.
"There is a lot of consternation in our caucus right now and we're making a hell of a run at this thing and I think we have a shot to win," Ryan said. "People are saying, look, this has been a changed election. We want change. And there are a lot of members of Congress who now are understanding that we need to make a change."
Ryan said his caucus has failed to win over a majority of voters in 2010 because it has not focused strongly enough on economic issues.
House Democrats will meet Wednesday to vote on leadership for the new session beginning in January.
Pelosi claimed earlier this month that she had the support of more than two-thirds of the caucus.