Pelosi retains top spot among House Democrats

Nancy Pelosi will keep her top spot in the U.S. House Democratic caucus, despite party-wide angst over its election-year losses. The California lawmaker has held her leadership position since 2002, weathering the party’s transitions in and out of power. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, announced earlier this month he planned to challenge Pelosi for the job, claiming Democrats needed a new approach in the face of Republican gains. But Ryan lost his bid in a secret-ballot, 134-63 vote. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., touted Pelosi’s negotiating skills in making her nomination formal: “We need the very best to lead us. No one is a better tactician than Nancy Pelosi.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.