AOC eyes run to be top Democrat on Oversight Committee

• Several of House Democrats' oldest committee leaders are facing attempts by more junior colleagues to oust them from their longtime roles.
• Democratic leadership has maintained strict neutrality on committee fights, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) telling reporters that "the challengers speak for themselves."

Driving the news: Ocasio-Cortez said she is "interested" in replacing current ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and has "a lot of outreach from colleagues."

• "I'll be making a decision shortly," added Ocasio-Cortez, Raskin's current vice ranking member.
• She would face off against at least one colleague, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who announced Tuesday that he is running for the role.
• Several others, including Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), are seen as potential candidates to succeed Raskin.

Zoom out: Raskin kicked off a battle for his seat Monday when the Marylander announced his challenge to Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).

• Nadler, like several other septuagenarian ranking members, is facing concerns from colleagues about his age and ability to combat the incoming Republican trifecta.
• A battle between Ocasio-Cortez, 35, and Connolly, 74 — who, while not the current ranking member, has far more seniority — would be the most extreme example of that dynamic.

What to watch: House Democrats' steering committee is expected to meet sometime this month to make recommendations for committee leadership.

• The full House Democratic caucus will then meet to vote on whether to approve those choices.