Stansbury secures support of former House committee chairman

The former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee has endorsed Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., to fill his shoes as the leading Democrat on the panel.

The announcement came Thursday after Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona announced several days prior that he would be stepping away due to health concerns. Stansbury is yet to formally announce a bid for ranking member, the most powerful position a Democrat can hold on a committee in a Republican-controlled House.

“As I continue to have productive conversations with Democrats, I am deeply proud to have this endorsement from (Grijalva) for Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee,” Stansbury said in a statement on X shortly after.

Stansbury “sees a way forward,” a spokesperson for the congresswoman said in a text to the Journal, but declined to confirm whether she would run.

“Rep. Stansbury has made her mark as a strategic and tenacious advocate for advancing environmental justice, strengthening tribal sovereignty, and securing water for communities in the drought-stricken West,” Grijalva said in his endorsement.

The House Natural Resource Committee works with tribal nations, public land entities like the National Park Service and also has jurisdiction over American energy production.

During her tenure in the House, Stansbury has championed legislation for Indian Country. In September, she introduced a bill to return land to San Felipe Pueblo. And last month, she put forward the Indian Health Service Provider Expansion Act, which aims to expand medical education programs within IHS.

Stansbury also introduced numerous bills surrounding water rights and access.

If Stansbury runs, she’ll be competing against 60-year-old Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who announced his bid on Monday.

Ranking members are chosen by popular vote among House Democrats, but historically, lawmakers merely deferred to their most senior member. Now that’s changing, with several younger legislators challenging older Democrats for committee leadership.

With Grijalva’s support, Stansbury may be one step closer to the top Democratic position.