Democrats elect Hakeem Jeffries as first Black party leader

House Democrats elected a new slate of leaders on Wednesday in a relatively seamless and long-awaited transition that stood in contrast to infighting among Republicans over the party’s leadership in recent weeks.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York will lead the caucus in the next Congress, becoming the first Black lawmaker to serve as a congressional party leader, following in the footsteps of another history-maker, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, to whom he tipped his hat on Wednesday as a “speaker for the ages.” Jeffries will work alongside Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, who will serve as the second and third in the caucus’ leadership, respectively.

“House Democrats fight for the people – that’s our story, that’s our legacy, that’s our values, that’s our commitment as we move forward,” Jeffries said during a press conference Wednesday for the newly elected leaders, pledging to work with the other side of the aisle while fighting extremism. “We’re going to fight hard each and every day we have this honor to serve in Congress to deliver.”

Wednesday’s leadership elections mark the largest leadership shake-up among House Democrats in decades, after Pelosi announced earlier this month that she will step down from her leadership position in the new year, making room for a “new generation” of leaders.

“With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said from the House floor before Thanksgiving. “For me, the hour’s come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect, and I’m grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility.”

Pelosi’s announcement that she will step down spurred similar announcements from other top Democrats who had been at the party’s helm for years. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland said he would likewise give way, while Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina declared he would depart from his third-ranking spot and seek the No. 4 role.

But Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island – in one of the only challenges among the House leadership elections on the Democratic side – announced a bid for the No. 4 role on Wednesday, citing the need for the leadership team to reflect the diversity of the caucus and the American people by including an LGBTQ leader. The outcome of that race will be determined later this week.

Hoyer celebrated the leadership elections as a “great victory” for the party and its “ability to move forward in a united way.”

“We have three extraordinary people who are going to be leading our caucus,” Hoyer told reporters. “Hakeem Jeffries is going to take us to victory in 2024.”

Democrats and Republicans have faced vastly different realities heading into the new year after surprising outcomes to the midterm elections left Democrats in relatively good spirits while Republicans have pointed fingers over who is to blame for the party’s poor showing.

“While Kevin McCarthy is auctioning off real estate and square footage for every vote he can, we’re united together and we’re in this together for the American public,” Aguilar said.

Earlier this month, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy won his party’s nomination for House speaker, fending off a challenge from Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona that drew 31 defectors and spurred concern over whether he’ll be able to secure the majority needed in a chamber-wide vote for speaker come January.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky saw the first challenge to his leadership in 15 years, when Sen. Rick Scott of Florida announced a bid for the position, citing his deep disappointment in the results of the midterm elections and saying that Senate Republicans must be more “bold and resolute” than in the past.

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