Rep. Hakeem Jeffries pronounces bid to interchange Nancy Pelosi as Democratic chief

WASHINGTON — New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the fourth-ranking Home Democrat, stated Friday that he’ll run to interchange Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi because the get together’s chief after Republicans took again management of the chamber in final week’s midterm elections.

His announcement in a letter to colleagues got here a day after Pelosi stated in a strong flooring speech that she is stepping down after a two-decade reign as the highest chief of Home Democrats.

If Jeffries is profitable, it will characterize a historic passing of the torch: Pelosi made historical past as the primary feminine speaker of the Home, whereas Jeffries, the present Democratic Caucus chairman, would change into the primary Black chief of a congressional caucus and highest-ranking Black lawmaker on Capitol Hill. If Democrats have been to retake management of the Home — an actual chance with Republicans having such a slim majority — Jeffries could be in line to be the primary Black speaker within the nation’s historical past.

The ascension of the 52-year-old Jeffries to minority chief would additionally characterize generational change. Pelosi and her prime two deputies — Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. — are all of their 80s and are receiving from inside the get together for “new blood” in management; Hoyer won’t search one other management put up whereas Clyburn plans to remain on and work with the following technology.

Reps. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., are in search of to spherical out the brand new management workforce, asserting Friday that they may run for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in management. Clark, 59, introduced a bid for Democratic Whip, whereas Aguilar, 43, is operating for Democratic Caucus Chair.

Pelosi endorsed all three to succeed her management workforce in a press release Friday, saying they’re “prepared and prepared to imagine this superior duty.” Clyburn has additionally endorsed the three, whereas Hoyer backed Jeffries for chief on Thursday.

“Within the 118th Congress, Home Democrats will probably be led by a trio that displays our stunning variety of our nation,” Pelosi stated. “Chair Jeffries, Assistant Speaker Clark and Vice Chair Aguilar know that, in our Caucus, variety is our energy and unity is our energy.”

Clyburn, a towering determine within the caucus and shut ally of President Joe Biden, known as his protege Jeffries “completely incredible” and signaled help for a full slate of youthful set of leaders taking the reins of the Democratic management equipment: Jeffries, Clark, and Aguilar.

Clyburn stated in a letter to colleagues Friday he’ll run for Assistant Democratic Chief within the subsequent Congress “to work alongside our new technology of Democratic Leaders which I hope to be Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar.”

Added Hoyer: “Nicely, I believe it is all the time good for a celebration to have new blood and new invigoration, new enthusiasm, and new concepts.”

It is clear that Jeffries is the hands-down favourite for the job. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., had explored difficult Jeffries for the highest job however dropped his bid Wednesday and as an alternative will have a look at a possible run for the Senate, in line with a supply acquainted with his planning. No different challengers have emerged.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, stated Thursday she was assured that the highly effective bloc of greater than 50 Black lawmakers would line up behind Jeffries.

“I am very comfy saying I imagine that each member of the Congressional Black Caucus would vote for Hakeem Jeffries,” Beatty advised reporters Thursday.

NBC Information projected Wednesday that Republicans will management the Home for the following two years — however will probably be a slim majority, probably much like the one Democrats have had since 2021.

Earlier than Pelosi made her announcement, Hoyer grinned when requested whether or not Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who’s operating for speaker, will be capable of govern with a small majority.

“We’ll see! Mr. Ryan and Mr. Boehner discovered it tough,” Hoyer stated.

Audio system Paul Ryan and John Boehner each had bigger majorities than the brand new one will probably be.