Jahana Hayes Considers Run for House Education Committee’s Leadership

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) is considering a run to become the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, setting up a potential challenge to longtime Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), reports Politico. Hayes, a 53-year-old former National Teacher of the Year now in her fourth term, said she hasn’t formally announced a bid but is “absolutely exploring every possibility,” while Scott, 79, who has led committee Democrats since 2015 and has served in Congress for more than three decades, confirmed Monday he intends to seek another term leading the panel. The prospective matchup reflects broader generational tensions playing out across the Democratic caucus as younger lawmakers eye leadership posts long held by more senior members. Hayes argued Democrats need a stronger “push from the caucus” to counter the Trump administration’s push to dismantle the Education Department, warning that inaction could mean the agency disappears without sufficient political resistance. Scott, for his part, said he’d let his record speak for itself rather than respond directly to the challenge.