House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has increasingly been noted as planning to “step down” and retire following the 2022 midterms as Democrats continue to emphasize New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as the House’s new leftist leader.
“I think it is very important and would have no problem saying that, if I had a crystal ball, I would want the leadership to be reflective of this wonderful democracy in America we live in,” Congressional Black Caucus chair and Ohio Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty told The Washington Post.
“Certainly I would like to be able to say that I was part of the process that had the first Black American to be speaker of the U.S. Congress,” she added.
Who Is Jeffries?
US Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who Calls out “Hard-Left Socialists,” Favored to Replace House Speaker Pelosihttps://t.co/LybhiDSkVG
— Rockland Daily (@Rockland_Daily) January 3, 2022
Jeffries is currently the fifth-ranked Democrat in the House. However, the two top leaders after Pelosi are both 80 years old or above, with many seeking a younger leader who represents the diverse platform of the party.
“Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) is the early favorite to become the next Democratic leader, but the maneuvering for power has just begun, and fights over who else should be on the leadership team could pit the ideological factions of the caucus against each other,” the Post noted.
Will It Happen?
The situation could become likely if Republicans win back power in the House during November’s midterms.
If Democrats are not in power, its members only need a simple majority to approve a new party leader.
A new Dem effort by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and others to defend House incumbents sets up potential showdowns with more liberal members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, amid jockeying to replace House Speaker Pelosi. @michaelscherer and @daveweigelhttps://t.co/YpMqRDsAxG
— Rachel Van Dongen (@RachelVanD) July 14, 2021
Planning remains in the early stages, and it’s still uncertain whether Pelosi will finally retire after the 2022 midterms.
Speculation will likely continue to grow until after the November elections. At this point, anything could happen, but Jeffries currently appears at the top of the left’s list of new leaders.