Jeffries Formally Launches Bid for House Speaker

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries formally launched his candidacy for speaker on Wednesday in a letter to colleagues, asking for their support after Democrats won control of the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

“I write to humbly request your support in connection with my candidacy to serve as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Jeffries wrote in the dear-colleague letter posted by his House office. Fox News and Axios also reported the launch.

If elected when the new Congress convenes in January, Jeffries would become the first Black speaker of the House, Axios and Politico reported. He has led House Democrats since succeeding Nancy Pelosi as minority leader.

Affordability, accountability and American values

Jeffries told colleagues his goal is to empower Democrats to “act decisively” in three areas: affordability, accountability and American values, according to the letter and reporting by Fox News and Axios. He wrote that House Democrats “must now deliver the dramatic change the American people are demanding in the majority.”

On costs, he said Democrats should try to find bipartisan common ground “whenever and wherever possible,” while arguing that tariffs and the war in Iran have pushed living expenses higher, the letter and Fox News reported. He listed early priorities that include reversing Medicaid cuts, restoring SNAP funding, extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, ending the tariffs and ending the war in Iran.

On oversight, he wrote that Congress “will assume its place as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,” Fox News reported, quoting the letter.

Leadership path

Jeffries told reporters Wednesday that he intended to run for speaker, Fox News reported. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California signaled they would seek the No. 2 and No. 3 posts, according to Fox News. Axios reported that Clark is expected to run for majority leader and Aguilar for majority whip.

Fox News said Democrats were projected at publication time to win 237 House seats to Republicans’ 139, with dozens of races still uncalled, and that Jeffries told reporters he anticipated 255 or more Democrats. House Democrats are scheduled to hold leadership elections in mid-December, Fox News reported. The full House elects the speaker when the new Congress opens in January.

Sources: Office of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Fox News, Axios, Politico.