IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE' - Hakeem Jeffries Could Be OUT After Huge Turn of Events
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is facing uncertainty from some Democratic candidates about whether they would support him for Speaker if Democrats regain control of the House in November.
An Axios report indicated that more than 80 Democratic House candidates were either unsure about supporting Jeffries’ leadership or opposed to it. Several candidates in competitive and safely Democratic districts have publicly expressed non-committal or critical positions.
In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett declined to commit to supporting Jeffries before winning her primary. The seat is rated as a toss-up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Iowa’s 1st Congressional District Democratic nominee Christina Bohannan told Punchbowl News she had not yet decided, stating, “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made that decision. I want to get elected first.” That district is also rated a toss-up.
In Montana’s 1st Congressional District, rated “likely Republican,” Democratic nominee Sam Forstag said he was “not committing to anyone one way or the other” and would support “whoever will stand with working people in this state.”
Mai Vang, a progressive challenger to Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), issued a strong statement criticizing Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. She said the Democratic Party and its leadership “have failed to mobilize meaningful opposition to Trump’s illegal war” and accused them of silence regarding AIPAC and corporate influence in primaries. Vang stated she “cannot support this kind of leadership” and called for “new leadership and a new direction.”
Other candidates have expressed varying levels of support or conditions. Adam Hamawy, running in New Jersey’s 12th district, said he is “looking for someone that’s gonna stand up to the administration.” Claire Valdez, running in New York to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, said there would “need to be some conversations” with Jeffries. Nate Blouin, running in a new safely Democratic Utah district, noted he has never met Jeffries and wants a leader aligned with his priorities on foreign policy.
Not all candidates have expressed reservations. New York Assembly member Alex Bores, running to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler, said he has seen “real fight coming from our caucus” and would support Jeffries.
Jeffries’ allies have pointed to his record of maintaining party unity, noting he has not lost a single Democratic vote across 20 speaker ballots while in the minority. They have downplayed concerns about potential defections from newly elected members.
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The situation reflects ongoing internal discussions within the Democratic Party about leadership, strategy, and direction heading into the midterm elections. Jeffries has been credited by supporters with keeping the caucus largely unified during periods of divided government.
