Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) will replace Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) atop the powerful Ways and Means Committee, The New York Times reports this morning.
Levin is the No. 3 Democrat on the panel, meaning that party leaders skipped over the second most senior member, Rep. Pete Stark, the feisty California populist who asked that his name be withdrawn from consideration.
The Hill has a nice rundown that helps to explain Stark’s — and the party’s — motivations in going with Levin.