Hakeem Jeffries Launches Campaign for House Speaker

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2027 following Democrats’ midterm election sweep.

Jeffries Launches Campaign for House Speakership

With Democrats securing a decisive victory in the midterm elections on Tuesday, Jeffries officially launched his campaign for the speakership. He sent a letter to fellow House Democrats on Wednesday afternoon to formally request their support. He also appeared on CBS Mornings to outline his legislative focus.

Jeffries pointed to affordability and oversight as core priorities for the upcoming congressional term. We’re going to focus aggressively and relentlessly on dealing with the affordability crisis, Jeffries said during his television appearance.

Serving New York’s 8th Congressional District, the 56-year-old lawmaker’s territory spans areas such as Coney Island, Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Canarsie, and East New York. Having grown up in Crown Heights, Jeffries has spent almost two decades in office.

Democrats reclaimed control of the Senate on Tuesday night as well, putting Chuck Schumer in line to become majority leader and giving the party control of both chambers during the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin predicted that both Jeffries and Schumer will keep their jobs.

Online Petition Seeks Alternative to Jeffries

Even as Jeffries moves toward the gavel, an online petition launched on Change.org on Sept. 3 by Nicole Whitted has surpassed 1 million signatures, reaching 1,012,125 signatures as of Saturday. The petition urges incoming lawmakers of the 120th Congress to vote against his candidacy and consider an alternative.

Actor Mark Ruffalo helped boost the campaign, posting online for people to sign if they want a new speaker. Whitted serves as a compensated change ambassador for the platform.

Axios reported that House Democrats and members-elect received hundreds of calls since the midterms from constituents urging them not to elect Jeffries, reflecting persistent skepticism and hesitance from incoming members. While one incoming House Democrat reported receiving about 150 calls, a senior House Democrat stated they received over 500 calls in a two-day span. Several incoming progressive members of the House have similarly declined to commit their support.

Representative-elect Claire Valdez and Representative-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier are on record repeatedly withholding their support for his leadership. Critics within the progressive wing have raised concerns regarding his past campaign donors and his policy positions concerning foreign aid and corporate influence.

Jeffries Manages Party Divisions on Foreign Policy

Jeffries has managed internal party divisions over foreign policy, particularly concerning U.S. support for Israel. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, pointed out that advocates are eager to collaborate with Jeffries to bring about reforms, such as passing the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, halting Trump’s unnecessary conflict with Iran, and cutting off unconditional military assistance to Israel.

We’re committed to holding the crooks accountable that are ripping off the American people and lowering the high cost of living.

Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader

In addition to addressing housing costs and healthcare expenses, Jeffries stated that House Democrats will pursue investigations into the Trump administration. Jeffries also pledged to try to find bipartisan common ground on affordability.