Hakeem Jeffries Declares Bid For House Speaker After Midterm Win

Hakeem Jeffries officially declared his bid to become the next House Speaker. Following a historic midterm election victory where Democrats reclaimed both the Senate and the House, this step was taken. The New York Democrat sent a formal letter to his colleagues confirming his intention to lead the party into the new term.

Jeffries wrote to fellow House Democrats on Wednesday afternoon with a direct request for their backing. He stated, “I write to humbly request your support in connection with my candidacy to serve as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Per Fox News, he made this announcement during a press conference alongside his top deputies, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar.

A Historic First and a New Agenda

Jeffries is aiming to become the first Black speaker in congressional history. According to the Washington Examiner, he sent a letter to members of the 120th Congress with a clear message. He wrote, “Congratulations on your election to the 120th Congress,” and outlined a plan focused on three main goals.

His vision centers on affordability, accountability, and American values. He told reporters that life is too expensive for hardworking families. In his letter, he pledged to “try to find bipartisan common ground whenever and wherever possible” on cost issues. However, he also criticized the current administration for failing to lower costs on Day One.

Jeffries argued that previous promises to help taxpayers were broken by toxic policies. He stated, “Donald Trump and House Republicans promised to lower costs on Day One. They failed.” He blamed specific actions like tariffs and foreign conflicts for driving prices up instead of down.

No Call from the White House

Despite the election results, Jeffries noted a lack of communication from the President. According to RedState, he informed reporters that neither he nor Senate leader Chuck Schumer has received contact from President Trump yet. This silence stands out given the magnitude of the Democratic sweep.

Jeffries said, “I have not heard from President Trump. It’s my understanding that (Senate Minority) Leader Schumer has not heard from President Trump.” He expects to meet with his caucus early next week to plan their next steps. His goal is to deliver the dramatic change that the American people are evidently demanding.

The Washington Times reports that Jeffries was introduced as “Speaker Jeffries” at a watch party on Tuesday night. The crowd chanted his name as he prepared to take the helm of the chamber. Every incumbent Democrat in a battleground district has won reelection as of Wednesday afternoon.

Projections show Democrats winning 237 seats versus 139 for the GOP, leaving 59 races too close to call. Next year, Jeffries expects the total number of Democrats in the House to reach 255 or more. This majority gives them full control over the legislative agenda for the remainder of the term.