House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced his candidacy for speaker Wednesday after his party regained control of the House, positioning the New York congressman to become the first Black speaker in American history.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., formally announced Wednesday, Nov. 4, that he is running for speaker of the House after Democrats won control of the chamber in Tuesday’s midterm elections, setting the stage for a historic leadership transition when the new Congress convenes in January.
Jeffries announced his candidacy in a letter to fellow House Democrats, congratulating them on their election victories and requesting their support in the upcoming leadership contest.
“I write to humbly request your support in connection with my candidacy to serve as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Jeffries wrote, according to Fox News.
The announcement followed sweeping Democratic gains that secured majorities in both the House and Senate, ending Republican control of Congress during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Jeffries, 56, has led House Democrats since January 2023, succeeding former Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the party’s top-ranking member in the chamber. His election as speaker would make him the first Black lawmaker to hold the position.
During a Wednesday news conference, Jeffries appeared alongside House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., who also announced plans to seek another term in their respective leadership positions.
The House Democratic Caucus is scheduled to hold its leadership elections Nov. 18, according to ABC News.
Jeffries is not expected to face a significant internal challenge, although some incoming progressive lawmakers have not publicly committed to supporting his candidacy.
Democrats’ substantial electoral gains could give Jeffries additional flexibility in managing disagreements between the party’s progressive and moderate factions.
According to Axios, Jeffries enters the leadership contest with broad support from his colleagues, while other senior Democratic leaders are also expected to run without serious opposition.
The New York Democrat characterized Tuesday’s results as a major political victory, saying voters had rejected Republican policies and demanded changes in Washington.
“It wasn’t simply a blue wave. It was an American tsunami,” Jeffries said during Wednesday’s news conference.
“The American people have chosen common sense over corruption, chaos and cruelty,” he added, according to Al Jazeera.
Jeffries said Democrats expect to secure at least 255 House seats once all outstanding races are decided, a figure that would provide the party with a substantial majority in the 435-member chamber.
Despite the election results, Jeffries emphasized that Democratic leadership would prioritize legislation addressing household expenses rather than focusing exclusively on investigations involving the Trump administration.
“We ran on affordability. We won on affordability. And now it’s our job to govern on affordability,” Jeffries said during an appearance on MS NOW’s Morning Joe.
He identified the costs of groceries, gasoline, housing and health care as central concerns facing American families.
The Democratic leader also indicated that the party would pursue oversight of the administration while avoiding an agenda centered primarily on political retaliation.
Jeffries said lawmakers should concentrate on delivering results for voters rather than seeking revenge against Republican officials.
His remarks came as Republicans began reorganizing their leadership following the loss of their House majority.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Wednesday that he would not seek the position of House minority leader in the next Congress.
Johnson’s decision opened a Republican leadership contest involving House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, both of whom previously competed for the speakership in 2023.
According to The Associated Press, Johnson plans to remain in Congress but will step aside from the party’s leadership following the election defeat.
President Trump said Wednesday that the White House would not intervene in the Republican leadership contest.
The incoming Democratic majority will also face challenges in advancing legislation because Trump will retain presidential veto authority.
Although Democrats will control congressional committees, set legislative priorities and exercise oversight authority, major policy proposals could encounter opposition from the White House.
Jeffries has indicated that his party will seek opportunities for bipartisan legislation while challenging administration policies it opposes.
His expected elevation has drawn praise from senior Democrats, including Pelosi, who became the first woman elected speaker in 2007.
In a statement released Tuesday, Pelosi congratulated Jeffries on the election results and endorsed his anticipated transition to the speakership.
“With tremendous personal pride, I congratulate our next Speaker, Hakeem Jeffries,” Pelosi said.
“Exactly twenty years after I became the first woman to hold the gavel, he will make history as the first Black Speaker of the House. I know the strength, judgment and resolve that office demands. Hakeem has those qualities in abundance. He has led Democrats to this extraordinary victory, and he will be a magnificent Speaker.”
Jeffries represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, which includes portions of Brooklyn. Before becoming Democratic leader, he served as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and developed relationships across the party’s ideological factions.
His leadership bid marks the culmination of a campaign to return Democrats to power after four years of Republican control of the House.
The Associated Press reported that Jeffries is positioned to make history when the new Congress takes office, although he must first secure his party’s nomination and win the formal House speaker election.
The speaker is elected by the full House, typically requiring a majority of votes cast for a named candidate. House Democrats will select their nominee during the November leadership elections before the chamber votes in January.
The 120th Congress is scheduled to convene Jan. 3, 2027.
If elected, Jeffries will become the nation’s 57th speaker and assume responsibility for directing the House legislative agenda, overseeing floor proceedings and managing the Democratic majority during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
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