Comer backs Ocasio-Cortez for top Democrat on Oversight panel

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is throwing his support behind Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) run to be the ranking member on the panel, predicting he will have “a good working relationship” with the progressive lawmaker if she secures the position.

"I'm a big AOC fan," Comer said during a Thursday appearance on CNN. "Obviously, I don't agree with very much of her policy, but I think she's a good person, I think she's very well-spoken.

He went on to compare a potential Ocasio-Cortez partnership with the one he has is wrapping up.

"I did not have good relationship with [Rep.] Jaime Raskin, I don't think that's any secret," Comer said of the Maryland Democrat who is the Oversight ranking member.

"I tell the press when they ask about the race for Ranking Member, the Democrats have nowhere to go but up after having Jamie Raskin for the last four years, so, I think AOC would be great, Gerry Connolly would be great ... but I certainly look forward to working with the next ranking member," the Kentucky Republican told CNN host Pamela Brown.

Ocasio-Cortez launched her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee last week, looking to succeed Raskin, who is stepping down from the post to run for the top position on the House Judiciary Committee.

"If it's AOC, I think we'll have a good working relationship. We'll obviously have a lot of differences on policy, but I think she's a good, well-spoken person for the Democrats to serve in that position," Comer said on CNN.

Ocasio-Cortez is looking to beat Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a seven-term lawmaker, for one of the most powerful seats that will be key to fighting back against President-elect Trump during his second term in the White House.

Connolly made his case for why he should hold the ranking member job next Congress, touting his experience serving on the panel.

“I don't think this election is about generational change or an age gap. I think it's about capability and seasoning and experience, and that's what I'm running on. I think I've shown my ability, over 16 years in the committee, to take the fight to the other side and to propound and defend and advocate for democratic values,” Connolly said during his Thursday appearance on CNN.

“I'm good with the media. I'm good with the public. I know how to interrogate witnesses, and I know how to manage a committee,” he told CNN anchor Dana Bash. “So those are the credentials I'm putting forward to my colleagues, and I'm feeling pretty good about it.”

The Hill has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for comment.

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