House Democrats Elect Male Leadership Team

WASHINGTON —  House Democrats Monday elected an all-male leadership team that left some members grumbling and Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) scrambling to appoint more women and minorities to his growing circle of advisors.

“We’re not finished,” Gephardt said somewhat defensively after the closed-door balloting. He plans to introduce his “leadership council” today.

“There will be more people there that will be more diverse. We are the party of diversity,” Gephardt told reporters.

Monday’s elections also left California without representation in the top echelons of the Democratic House leadership. The chamber’s No. 3 Democrat was Rep. Vic Fazio of West Sacramento, but he is retiring. Taking his place as caucus chairman is Rep. Martin Frost of Texas.

A Latino, Rep. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, claimed the No. 4 spot as caucus vice chairman.

The daylong secret balloting by Democrats came just two days before House Republicans convene to fill their leadership posts, with a number of women and the GOP’s lone African American member contending for some of the top spots.

That has evoked concern among Democrats that they will suffer by comparison if the GOP majority installs a more diverse leadership slate.

Top Two Posts Uncontested

In the Democratic balloting, neither Gephardt nor Minority Whip David E. Bonior of Michigan was challenged for the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.

In the other races, Frost defeated Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut; Menendez beat out Reps. Albert Russell Wynn of Maryland and the one Californian vying for a post, Calvin M. Dooley of Visalia.

Another prominent leadership post--head of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, an appointed position--appears to have been nailed down by Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) publicly stated her lack of interest in the job. “I am interested in an elected House leadership role when there is an opening,” Pelosi declared in a letter to colleagues.

Had Democrats regained control of the House in this month’s midterm elections, congressional sources said, Pelosi would have run for whip, a post that would have been opened by Gephardt’s presumed ascension to speaker and Bonior’s to majority leader.

House Democrats are sensitive to the potentially jarring image of an all-male leadership team, which includes just one racial minority, for a party that has championed an agenda broadly endorsed by women and minorities.

Party’s Record on Diversity Cited

But many House Democrats on Monday strove to put a positive spin on the outcomes of their leadership races.

“I’m disappointed but not concerned,” said Rep.-elect Grace Napolitano of Norwalk, adding that the party’s record on diversity issues--as well as the demographics of its House members--speak for themselves.

Referring to the new leaders, Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-N.Y.) added: “They understand where the votes come from in this party. I think they’ll do the right thing.”

Of the 39 blacks in the newly elected House, all are Democrats except Rep. J. C. Watts Jr. (R-Okla.), a candidate to head the GOP conference, the party’s No. 4 post. Of the 20 Latino members, 17 are Democrats, 3 are Republicans. Of the 58 women, 41 are Democrats and 17 are Republicans. All six Asians and Pacific Islanders are Democrats.

When House Republicans elect their leaders Wednesday, Rep. Bob Livingston of Louisiana faces no opposition to replace Newt Gingrich of Georgia as speaker. But Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas is being challenged by Jennifer Dunn of Washington and Steve Largent of Oklahoma and the possible draft candidacy of J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois.

Tom DeLay of Texas has no opposition in his bid to remain majority whip. In the contest for the No. 4 slot, Watts is challenging John A. Boehner of Ohio.

In addition, three women and one man are vying for the No. 2 spot on the conference, which is being vacated by Dunn. They are Tillie K. Fowler of Florida, Sue Myrick of North Carolina, Anne M. Northup of Kentucky and Peter Hoekstra of Michigan.

GOP Reps. Christopher Cox of Newport Beach and Deborah Pryce of Ohio face no opposition in their bids to remain as head of the policy committee and conference secretary, respectively.