Steve Israel departing as DCCC chair

Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) says he has decided not to continue as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, following major Republican gains in the House. 

{mosads}”I’m not going to stay on as DCCC chair,” he told The New York Times.

The Democratic lawmaker told the Long Island newspaper Newsday that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked him to stay on for another term, but he declined. 

He said he was in talks with her about staying in Democratic leadership. “I’ve been really clear with Leader Pelosi that I would like to continue to have a seat at the leadership table, because it makes me more effective,” he told Newsday. 

Democrats lost at least nine seats on Tuesday, and Republicans are poised to gain more, as votes continue to be counted, pushing the GOP seat total to historic highs.

“When you have an angry population in a midterm election, and all [Republicans] do is tell people what you are against, you are able to stoke that anger,” Israel told Newsday.