Rep. Linda Sánchez drops bid for House Democratic Caucus chair after husband’s indictment

By Felicia Sonmez November 8 at 6:54 PM

Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) said Thursday that she is dropping her bid for House Democratic Caucus chair after her husband, James Sullivan, was indicted in Connecticut.

Sánchez, who has been vocal in calling for a new generation to lead her party’s congressional ranks, had announced her bid for the No. 4 spot in House Democratic leadership in July.

“Earlier today I learned that my husband is facing charges in Connecticut,”Sánchez said in a statement. “After careful consideration of the time and energy being in leadership demands, I have decided that my focus now needs to be on my son, my family, and my constituents in California.”

Sullivan, a board member of the Connecticut Municpal Electric Energy Cooperative, was indicted Thursday afer a two-year FBI investigation into the utility conglomerate’s alleged lavish spending on trips to the Kentucky Derby, the Day newspaper reported. Sullivan and four other board members face charges including conspiracy and theft from a program receiving federal funds, according to the Day.

Sánchez easily won reelection Tuesday, taking nearly 67 percent of the vote to Republican Ryan Downing’s 33 percent in California’s 38th District.