Sean Casten officially challenges Maxine Waters for House Financial Services gavel - Live Updates

POLITICO · Jasper Goodman, Katherine Hapgood · 2026-11-05 18:00 UTC

Casten, an Illinois Democrat, currently serves as the committee's vice ranking member.

Rep. Sean Casten on Thursday officially launched his bid to lead the House Financial Services Committee, challenging Rep. Maxine Waters for the role.

The Illinois Democrat wrote in a letter to House Democrats obtained by POLITICO that his “substantive policy expertise, private-sector experience, and commitment to meaningful oversight will allow us to work as a team to deliver for the American people.”

Casten, 54, had privately told Waters, 88, last month that he planned to run against her for the Financial Services gavel.

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