Last week, US Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries formally announced his bid to become the party’s leader in the House. The bid came a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would be stepping down as the party’s leader in the lower chamber.
Jeffries formally announced his bid to become the Democratic Party’s leader in the House of Representatives a day after Pelosi announced that she would step down as the party’s leader. Should Jeffries win the November 30 Democratic leadership election, the New York lawmaker would make history as the first Black lawmaker to lead a party caucus in Congress.
Jeffries may also have to navigate the responsibility of being a minority leader in the House after the GOP won the majority by a narrow margin should he win, along with keeping his fellow Democrats in line. Jeffries may also have the responsibility of uniting the party’s centrists and the progressives.
“I write to humbly ask for your support for the position of House Democratic Leader as we once again prepare for the moment,” said Jeffries in a letter released by his office. There have not been any challengers to Jeffries so far.
Pelosi, as well as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, have also issued statements endorsing Jeffries for the post. Pelosi has also endorsed Reps. Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, who are also bidding for leadership positions. Clark, who is a progressive Democrat, is bidding for the number two position, while Aguilar, who is a centrist, is vying for House Democratic Caucus chair, the position Jeffries currently holds.
Several Democratic lawmakers have praised Jeffries’ leadership bid. Progressive Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said Jeffries is “going to be a consensus builder.”
Pelosi announced Thursday last week that she will not be seeking a Congressional Democratic leadership position after nearly 20 years. Pelosi added that while she will not be seeking a leadership position anymore, she will continue to serve in Congress to represent her constituents in California.
“With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” said Pelosi in her speech on the House floor. “For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Caucus that I so deeply respect, and I’m grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility.”
Hoyer has also announced that he will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership, while Jim Clyburn, the House Majority Whip, also suggested that he will not seek re-election.