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Perlmutter changes track, will support Pelosi for Speaker of the House

One of Colorado's longest-serving congresspersons has changed his tune: Rep. Ed Perlmutter will support California Rep. Nancy Pelosi in her quest to become U.S. House Speaker for a list of reasons - chief among them: her willingness to be term-limited in her position.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Golden) said Wednesday night that he will support California Rep. Nancy Pelosi in her bid to become the next Speaker of the House when Congress meets up in January.

A group of unhappy Democrats had been saying since November that they would not support the California Democrat in her attempts to become Speaker again and many said they wanted fresh leadership - though many did not offer any alternative.

Perlmutter and fellow Coloradan Rep.-elect Jason Crow stood opposed to Pelosi in lockstep since at least Nov. 15 - but that changed Wednesday night after Perlmutter's office issued a statement offering up his support with a list of caveats. 

Chief among them? Pelosi's consent to term limits for senior leadership positions in the House. Perlmutter also pointed to new leaders Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) as assistant Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeen Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as Democratic Caucus chair, and Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair. 

Perlmutter also admitted he had "numerous conversations" with Pelosi and is now confident she's the best person to lead the Democrats in the House. 

9NEWS has reached out to Crow's office, who made it a campaign promise to fight for different leadership were he to be elected to the House. Alex Ball, his campaign manager, confirmed to 9NEWS nothing has changed on the Rep.-elect's part. He desires new leadership in the house.

According to USA Today, Perlmutter isn't the only Democrat to now support Pelosi for Speaker. Pelosi announced Wednesday that she was "comfortable" with a proposal for term limits on leadership roles. 

"Over the summer, I made it clear that I see myself as a bridge to the next generation of leaders, a recognition of my continuing responsibility to mentor and advance new members into positions of power and responsibility in the House Democratic Caucus," Pelosi said in a statement detailing a deal on term limits. "I am comfortable with the proposal and it is my intention to abide by it whether it passes or not."

Pelosi had served as Speaker during the Obama administration and had been met with pushback from almost 40 members of her caucus in her efforts to become Speaker again. Near the end of November, 35 Democrats voted against her in a closed-door meeting. 

Not long after Pelosi announced on Wednesday that she would be OK with term limits for her and other top Democratic caucus leaders, a slew of previous opponents announced their support for the congresswoman. Others besides Perlmutter to announce their support include: Bill Foster, Linda Sanchez, Seth Moulton, Tim Ryan, Filemon Vela and Gil Cisneros. 

The term limit plan says the top four Democrats in House would only be allowed four two-year terms in their positions (if they've served in the position before, like Pelosi, that counts). Pelosi served two terms from 2007-2011. If she is elected when Congress convenes in January that would be her third. 

To be elected to a fourth term, she would need a two-thirds majority of House Democrats. 

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