Rep. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio) said on Sunday that the Democrats in the House of Representatives need new leadership.
"I need to ask you, time for new leadership if Democrats take back the House? Will you run for speaker?" CNN anchor Dana Bash asked.
"I do think we need new leadership," Ryan responded.
Ryan, who initiated a bid to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) as House minority leader in November 2016, continued on by saying he's not sure if he is the person to lead the Democrats but thinks new leadership is necessary to reach independent voters.
"I'm not sure. I'm not closing the door on it," Ryan said, leaving open the possibility of another run for leadership. "It's time to move in another direction. I thought that 18 months ago. I think it today. If we are going to reach out to voters, independent voters, I think we need new people going out to make the case."
Ryan was unsuccessful in his 2016 bid to replace Pelosi, but he was able to garner 63 votes from his Democratic colleagues. The vote was the largest bloc of opposition against Pelosi since she rose to leadership in 2002.
Pelosi has recently defended her leadership and said she has a following that is unsurpassed by no one except those who run for president. NBC News released a report that showed over 50 Democrats, including nine incumbent lawmakers, have publicly stated they would oppose Pelosi to be speaker if Democrats retake control the House of Representatives.
The Washington Free Beacon identified 22 Democrats from NBC's list who have accepted campaign contributions connected to Pelosi but have either said they do not support her for speaker or dodged questions about the matter. Those Democrats accepted cash to their campaign committees from PAC to the Future (Pelosi's leadership PAC), Nancy Pelosi for Congress (her campaign committee), or both.
Pelosi once referred to Ryan as "inconsequential."