Some Democrats floating Hakeem Jeffries for House Speaker: report

Despite the suggestion, Jeffries says he is fine in his current role.

Nov 4, 2020

Some are rallying for House Democratic caucus chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York to become House Speaker, but he doesn’t even want the job.

Two moderate House Democrats who are upset about the Democratic losses this election cycle said on Wednesday they are working to get support for Jeffries to challenge Speaker Nancy Pelosi, per The Hill.

“He’s the only one prepared and positioned,” said one of the centrist Democratic lawmakers. “He bridges moderates and progressives better than anyone. And most importantly, he’s not Nancy Pelosi.”

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According to his spokesman, despite the ongoing discussion, Jeffries is focused on his current spot and leaning into another important topic.

Nancy Pelosi Hakeem Jeffries Democratic thegrio.com — House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) speaks with Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) after the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Trump delivers his third State of the Union to the nation the night before the U.S. Senate is set to vote in his impeachment trial. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“As we wait for every vote to be counted in the most pivotal election in our lifetime, keeping the House Democratic Caucus unified on behalf of the American people has never been more important. Representative Jeffries is running to serve a second term as Chairman of the vibrant House Democratic Caucus in the 117th Congress.”

Jeffries was elected to his position in November of 2018. The Brooklyn-bred New Yorker is a graduate of New York University and the fifth highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. He is an advocate for economic and social justice per his website, Jeffries.house.gov.

Many are frustrated with the senior Democratic leadership which is why Pelosi is becoming a target.

“It’s time for Democrats to elevate a new generation of leadership in both the House and the Senate,” said one of the Democrats for Jefferies. “Americans are clearly afraid of ‘socialism,’ want safe streets and neighborhoods and to vote for people who they believe will help put more money in their pockets. While Democratic policies can adequately address those issues, our messaging mechanism clearly cannot.”

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