Democrats to eye Hakeem Jeffries for leadership position ahead of Speaker Pelosi’s expected exit this year

With Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s planned departure from Congress later this year after the midterm elections, Democrats are planning their next moves.

Pelosi, who has held the House Speaker position since 2018, agreed upon taking office that she would step down in 2022. As the country gears up for midterm elections, Democrats in Washington are reportedly eyeing Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as Pelosi’s replacement.

Jeffries currently leads the House Democratic Caucus, the same position held by Pelosi for many years. According to a report from the Washington Post, Jeffries is the current favorite as Pelosi’s replacement. There is still much debate among Democrats over who will take over as Speaker, as the party seeks to find a middle ground between a left-of-center or more progressive future. 

“I want to make sure that it is someone who can pull the party together. As Pelosi says: ‘Our diversity is our strength, and unity is our power.’ I want to make sure it’s someone who can hold that unity,” Rep. Bradley Schneider (Ill.) told the Washington Post.

House Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Ca.) told the Post he hopes the new leader will move the party forward while listening to all factions.

“I think we want leadership that bridges some of the different ideological wings of the party, that is committed to listening to all of the perspectives, that will be capable of helping move the Senate or things that have stalled in the House, and has a bold vision of what we need to achieve for the American public,” Khanna said.