WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Cooper did not vote for Nancy Pelosi when she was elected as Speaker of the House on Thursday.
Instead, Cooper said he voted “present” in favor of supporting new Democratic leadership. Pelosi made history as she reclaimed a title she previously held when she served as the first and so far only female House speaker from 2007 to 2011.
Today I voted “present” in the vote for Speaker of the House, consistent with my eight-year push for new Democratic leadership. Now that we are back in the majority, I did not vote for a rival candidate because there are none.
— Jim Cooper (@repjimcooper) January 3, 2019
"We should use this opportunity to help all Americans have a brighter future. If we do a good job getting America back on track, we will more likely win the White House and a majority-Democratic U.S. Senate in 2020. I hope our new House leadership will chart a sensible course, and show all of America that we are up to the job," Cooper said, in-part, about Democrats retaking the House.
Back in November, Cooper said he would oppose Pelosi returning to the role of House Speaker.
Cooper has repeatedly voted against Pelosi as Democratic leader.
**The Associated Press contributed to this report.
