Pelosi and Hoyer have long had a difficult relationship. The two ran against each other in a leadership race several years ago. Pelosi won, but Hoyer rebounded more than a year later when he was elected the party’s whip.

Hoyer, 67, is a veteran of 25 years in Congress. His margin of victory reflected a pre-election strategy in which he showcased support from moderates, veteran lawmakers in line to become committee chairmen and more than half of the incoming freshman class — the majority-makers whose victories on Election Day gave the party control of the House.

The intraparty battle had preoccupied Democrats, overshadowing Pelosi’s promotion to speaker— a position second in line of succession to the presidency. Many Democrats were dismayed the family feud had broken out in the first place and objected to heavy pressure placed on longstanding Hoyer supporters.