Hakeem Jeffries Launches Bid to Become First Black US House Speaker

Hakeem Jeffries has announced his bid to become the next Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats’ midterm election victory, setting up a potentially historic vote when the new Congress convenes in January.

If elected, Jeffries would become the first Black American to hold the position.

The House Democratic leader formally sought his colleagues’ backing in a letter on Wednesday, according to ABC News. The party is scheduled to hold its leadership elections behind closed doors on November 18.

“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.

His pitch focused on the financial pressures facing American households, with affordability, accountability and American values identified as priorities for the incoming Congress.

“In the new Congress, we will aggressively fight for an affordable America. Life is way too expensive, and millions of hardworking taxpayers are drowning in this failed economy,” he said in the letter.

Jeffries faces two separate votes before he can take the Speaker’s chair. He must first secure a simple majority among House Democrats to become their nominee. The full House would then elect its Speaker in January.

Winning the party nomination would therefore be an initial step towards the position, with the decisive vote taking place after newly elected representatives take office. A Democratic majority would give Jeffries a path to the speakership, provided he can consolidate support within the caucus.

His announcement follows an election in which Democrats were projected to capture both the House and the Senate, putting the party in a position to challenge President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his term.

Jeffries described the results as the beginning of a political comeback, saying voters had rejected what he characterised as extremism and corruption.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also welcomed the outcome, declaring that “relief is on the way”. He identified affordability and efforts to end the war with Iran among the party’s priorities.

With inputs from ANI