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Nancy Pelosi stakes claim to be speaker of US House of Representatives

Some Democrats have said they want a younger candidate for the post whose holder is second in line to the White House after the vice-president.

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House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she has “overwhelming support” among fellow Democrats to become the next House speaker.

Ms Pelosi said: “I intend to win the speakership with Democratic votes.”

Ms Pelosi said she thought she was the best person for the job and that any Democrat who disagrees should run against her.

Disgruntled Democrats claim they have 17 names on a letter opposing Ms Pelosi’s leadership.

US Election
(PA Graphics)

They say those signing are pledging to vote against the 78-year-old Californian when the full chamber elects the next speaker on January 3.

Ms Pelosi is dismissing that challenge, and she asks reporters: “Have you seen the letter?”

Democrats seeking to block Ms Pelosi argue it is time to give younger Democrats a chance to rise to high-level posts.

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The Capitol in Washington (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

Ms Pelosi was speaker before Republicans took House control in 2011.

The holder of the post is second in line to the presidency after the vice-president.

The Democrats took back control of the House in this year’s midterm elections but President Donald Trump’s Republicans maintain control of the Senate.

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