Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey is leading the letter. All but three returning Democrats on the committee have signed it so far, though the document and its list of supporters are not final and could change before it is sent.

The three returning members who have not signed are Reps. Sean Casten and Bill Foster of Illinois, both potential challengers to Waters, and Rep. Sam Liccardo of California. Casten has told Waters he plans to run against her; Foster is considering a bid but has not made a final decision. Their spokespeople declined to comment.

Liccardo said he is focused on the Nov. 3 election and winning a House Democratic majority. “There will be plenty of time for colleagues to wrestle over committee gavels after November 3rd,” he said in a statement.

The draft praises Waters’ management of the committee and points to a major housing bill enacted this year. It says she negotiated with Republicans and the Senate to keep House Democrats’ priorities central to the legislation and ensured members across the caucus had a voice in the committee’s agenda.

Waters, 88, has been the committee’s top Democrat since 2013. The leadership contest will determine who guides the party’s work on a panel that handles financial services and housing policy. Rep. Everton Blair of Georgia was also not included on the draft letter; he joined the committee in September to finish the late Rep. David Scott’s term but is not returning to Congress next year.