Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Confirms Run For House Democratic Leader

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has confirmed in a letter to colleagues that he is seeking the position of Democratic Party leader in the House of Representatives following Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)'s confirmation yesterday that she would be stepping down from the position she had held since 2003.

• Jeffries' letter: https://jeffries.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022...
• Jeffries: “House Democrats will be locked in a fierce governmental, political and messaging struggle. In this regard, our Caucus must unify with purpose, communicate with discipline, legislate with precision and partner with the Biden Administration”
• Jeffries is seen as the strong favourite to take over from Pelosi, and would represent a notable change of ideology at the head of the House Democratic caucus. Pelosi was viewed as a legislative pragmatist, maintaining a largely centrist position in order to gain bipartisan support when required.
• On the other hand Jeffries, part of the left-leaning Congressional Progressive Caucus, may be less willing or able to work across the aisle, and could have more trouble gaining backing from the conservative Blue Dog Coalition or centrist New Democrat Coalition.