Hakeem Jeffries launches House Speaker race following Democratic midterm surge
The New York Democrat seeks the gavel after his party is projected to win 237 House seats and take control of both chambers.
By Lucas Chen ·
Hakeem Jeffries is formally seeking the position of Speaker of the House for the next Congress.
The New York Democrat made the announcement via a letter to his colleagues on Wednesday afternoon, following Democratic victories in Tuesday night's midterm elections.
Democrats are projected to capture 237 House seats, a figure that would give them a commanding majority over the Republican Party's 139 seats.
Jeffries stated in his letter that he is requesting support from fellow House Democrats to lead the chamber.
He emphasized a strategy of finding bipartisan common ground on affordability while criticizing the previous administration's policies.
The letter noted that House Republicans failed to lower costs and that policies such as tariffs and the war in Iran increased expenses.
Jeffries pledged accountability for the Trump administration and described the House as a check on an out-of-control executive branch.
His legislative agenda includes undoing Medicaid cuts, extending expired tax credits for Obamacare, and ending the war in Iran.
He also called for restoring values such as liberty, equal protection, and the right to vote.
Jeffries expressed confidence in winning the gavel, noting that his party's wide majority would limit the influence of newly elected far-left socialists.
He anticipated that Democrats would secure at least 255 seats once all races are decided, although 59 contests remain too close to call.
The Democratic Caucus is scheduled to hold leadership elections in mid-December to finalize the new hierarchy for the 119th Congress.
Source: Fox News
