The newly elected leaders of the centrist New Democratic coalition are making it very clear: they have Hakeem Jeffries‘ back.
“We will build a critical voting bloc to make sure he is the next speaker,” the representative said. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois, said Tuesday in her first interview after being elected coalition chair. “He will be the next Speaker of the House.”
“Unequivocally and without hesitation,” the representative added. Marilyn Strickland of Washington, the group’s next vice president of communications, who was also elected Tuesday alongside other coalition leaders.
The New Democrats, already the largest ideological caucus of House Democrats, will have significant influence in the next term with more than 140 members. The next group of leaders – which also includes Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico as political vice president and representative. Kim Schrier of Washington as Vice President of Outreach – present themselves as agenda setters for top leaders and foot soldiers in brokering consensus within the party caucus as a whole.
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