House insiders say Democratic Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) is almost certain to retire after the midterm elections, clearing the way for a major shake-up among the upper ranks of the party's leadership. (Who's Who).

House insiders say Democratic Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) is almost certain to retire after the midterm elections, clearing the way for a major shake-up among the upper ranks of the party's leadership. Democratic Whip Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), widely considered to be Gephardt's heir after defeating Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) for the post last year, will likely run for minority leader--but she'll have to contend with Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), who spearheaded the party's successful redistricting efforts in 2000 and is also interested in the top slot. The contest between Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) for Frost's current job of caucus chairman is likely to be more controversial. DeLauro is now assistant to the minority leader, a post created for her in 1998 when she lost her first bid for the caucus chairmanship and raised a stink about diversity in the leadership. Now, Menendez is making a similar argument against DeLauro, telling fellow Democrats that it's time the party had a Hispanic among the three top posts. DeLauro thinks she has the votes to beat him, including the support of half the House's ranking committee members, a majority of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Pelosi herself. But Menendez now may be pulling ahead. "How many congressional districts are there with 8-15 percent Latino vote?" asks one Hill insider. "That's a lot of leverage. It's just arithmetic"