U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, the progressive congressman who represents the 2nd District including Boulder, is extremely ambitious.
We know this because NBC News says so.
But just how ambitious, Neguse won’t say.
From NBC:
For the charismatic Coloradan, who just celebrated his 40th birthday, Neguse’s jam-packed, fast-paced schedule is emblematic of his broader political career. Already a member of Democratic leadership, he’s wasting no time and eager to climb the leadership ladder. And his colleagues have taken notice.
“He’s in the mix; he’s had a meteoric rise,” said Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who served with Neguse on the Democratic impeachment team that prosecuted former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 attack.
Swalwell is also the congressman who got caught up in an alleged honeytrap with a Chinese college student getting friendly with lawmakers like Swalwell who had access to sensitive government intelligence. A terrible character reference, which is probably why NBC left out that reminder. But we digress.
Neguse spouts the usual rubbish when asked about his political future claiming he doesn’t think it about it. He’s just so gosh darned proud to represent the 2nd district blah blah blah.
And how is he representing Coloradans?
By attending campaign events in Charleston, S.C., meeting with political candidates in Maryland, going to the White House for a state dinner, and doing a lot of media interviews.
Neguse is widely viewed as the presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Colorado in 2026. But if he becomes the assistant House speaker, Washington may be tougher to leave. #copolitics https://t.co/66ttdbJbZA
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul) May 28, 2024
These are not the actions of a politician running for governor. Neguse is clearly positioning himself for a top leadership post in the next Congress.
The question asked by NBC is whether a three-term congressman can leapfrog over more senior members to grab the brass ring instead of waiting his turn behind more experienced leaders.
Neguse ran unopposed for the number 5 leadership position among Democrats in the House after they were pushed back into the minority.
If Neguse wants to land the second slot as assistant House Speaker should Democrats take back control, Colorado can expect to see even less of Neguse than they do now.
So far, they haven’t seemed to notice he’s not around much.