Nancy Pelosi To Remain House Minority Leader

House Democrats re-elected Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader Wednesday for another term, rejecting the challenge by Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. 

With a vote of 134 to Ryan’s 63, Pelosi, a former speaker of the House, continues her 14-year leadership of the Democrats in the lower chamber.

Democrats listened to the nomination speeches and cast their votes in a secret ballot. According to an aide in the room, several members spoke on behalf of Pelosi. 

Ryan, 43, has served in Congress since 2003 and currently sits on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees. His northeast Ohio district includes Akron and Youngstown, both hit hard by the decades-long decline in manufacturing jobs.

Earlier this month, Ryan announced his challenge to Pelosi in a letter sent to colleagues.

Pelosi last faced a challenge in 2010, when Heath Shuler of North Carolina mounted his bid for the leadership position. Shuler received 43 votes in 2010. Close to 200 Democrats voted in Wednesday’s election.