House party
In the 2010 elections, the Democrats lost their House majority. Pelosi ran for Minority Leader in order to remain the House party leader, while Clyburn announced that he would challenge Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat and outgoing Majority Leader, for Minority Whip. Clyburn had the support of the Congressional Black Caucus, which wanted to keep an African-American in the House leadership, while Hoyer had 35 public endorsements, including three standing committee chairs. On November 13, Pelosi announced a deal whereby Hoyer would remain Minority Whip, while a "number three" leadership position styled "Assistant Leader" would be created for Clyburn. The exact responsibilities of Clyburn's assistant leader office were unclear, though it was said to replace the "Assistant to the Leader" post previously held by Chris Van Hollen, who had attended all leadership meetings but was not in the leadership hierarchy.