Gerry Connolly defeats AOC to become top Democrat on Oversight Committee [Video]

Washington — Democrats elected Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, rejecting a push by some members to tap a younger generation of lawmakers to lead the party on top panels.

Connolly, 74, defeated 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a 131-84 vote to become the ranking member of the powerful committee. Connolly, who came to Congress in 2009, will replace Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who will serve as the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3.

“I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by who’s got experience, who’s seasoned, who can be trusted, who’s capable and who’s got a record of productivity,” Connolly told reporters after the meeting. “And I think that prevailed.”

While Democrats will remain in the minority in the new year, Connolly’s elevation to ranking member places him in line to chair the Oversight Committee if Democrats retake …