California rep secures victory in race to lead Democrats

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California secured victory in the race for House Democratic leader on Friday when her only formal rival conceded defeat and offered an endorsement.

Pelosi, 62, a liberal who represents San Francisco in Congress, will become the first woman to lead either party in either House of Congress when she is formally elected next week to replace Rep. Richard Gephardt.

Pelosi triumphed over Texas Rep. Martin Frost, who conceded defeat in a letter to members of the rank and file. "It is clear to me that Nancy Pelosi has the votes of a majority of the caucus," he wrote. "In light of this fact, today I am releasing all of my commitments."

Pelosi will take the helm of a party that has been in the minority for eight years and lost seats in Tuesday's midterm election.

Frost made his concession as Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford announced last-minute plans to join the race -- then postponed a news conference where he was to do so.

Pelosi and Frost had been making calls to members of the rank and file in anticipation of next Thursday's election. On Thursday, Frost told a news conference he was the contender better able to broaden the party's appeal. "I think her politics are to the left, and I think that the party, to be successful, must speak to the broad center of the country," he said.

Pelosi responded with a statement that stressed the importance of challenging Republicans.

"We must draw clear distinctions between our vision of the future and the extreme policies put forward by the Republicans," she said. "We cannot allow Republicans to pretend they share our values and then legislate against those values without consequence."

No race for leading Senate

While House Democrats had a brief race for leader, there was none on the other side of the Capitol. There, Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota told reporters he would seek another two years as leader. He said that Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd, rumored to be considering a challenge, would not run.

"We intend to work closely with the president when we think he's right, but I must say, we will stand up and fight for our principles when we think he's wrong," said Daschle.

Frost, 60, and Pelosi, 62, had begun their bids to become the party's House leader after Gephardt said he would not seek another term in the job he has held for eight years.