After the 2010 elections, the Democrats lost their majority in the House. The departing Speaker Nancy Pelosi ran for the Minority Leader position in order to remain the House party leader, while Clyburn announced that he would challenge Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking Democrat in the House and the outgoing Majority Leader, for the Minority Whip post. 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 stand as 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. He had attended all leadership meetings but was not in the leadership hierarchy.