In 2026 Hakeem Jeffries was poised to become the first Black speaker of the House of Representatives in U.S. history when Democrats regained control of the House in the midterm elections. The veteran Democratic congressman who represents New York’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives became the House minority leader in 2023.
Before entering politics he pursued a legal career. He earned his law degree from New York University in 1997 and later clerked for a federal judge before entering private practice. After losing several races, Jeffries was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006. Six years later he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and won. In November 2022 Democrats elected him to replace Nancy Pelosi as the party’s leader in the upcoming Congress.
Jeffries is known for his charisma and oratorical flair. He supports traditional Democratic policies—including abortion rights, gun control measures, and increased taxes on the wealthy—and has taken a particular interest in police and criminal justice reform.