
Read: Hakeem Jeffries officially launches bid for House Speaker
- Jeffries, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, has led the House Democratic caucus since former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) resigned in 2022.
What he says: “I write to humbly request your support regarding my candidacy to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Jeffries wrote.
- “We must now deliver the radical change that the majority of the American people are demanding,” he continued.
- Jeffries wrote that “every member of our majority will play a meaningful role” and that his goal is to enable House Democrats to “act decisively on three key areas: (1) affordability, (2) accountability, and (3) American values.”
Between the lines: Even though some new progressive and red-district Democrats have refused to commit to supporting Jeffries for president, he is not expected to face serious opposition for the role.
- The large majority that House Democrats won on Tuesday will further help protect him from any potential rebels within his caucus.
Zoom out: Likewise, Jeffries’ management team should present itself unchallenged:
- Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) for majority leader.
- Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) will serve as majority whip.
- Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) for Democratic Caucus Chairman.
- Deputy Speaker Joe Neguse (D-Colorado) will be the deputy speaker.
Read the letter in full, via DocumentCloud:
Go further: Mike Johnson steps down from leadership after landslide GOP defeat in House
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
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