WASHINGTON, United States — Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives, is set to become the first Black speaker in American history.
His path to the position was cleared after Democrats won control of the House in the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Jeffries, 56, is expected to replace Republican Speaker Mike Johnson when the new Congress convenes in January.
He must first secure his party’s nomination and win a formal vote in the House. No serious challenger has emerged within the Democratic Party.
The historic development comes as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress, ending Republican dominance in Washington during the first two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Jeffries Celebrates Democratic Victory
Jeffries addressed cheering supporters at an election night gathering in Washington after major news organisations projected a Democratic majority in the House.
“Today begins the great American comeback,” he declared.
Supporters greeted him with chants of “Speaker! Speaker!” as the scale of the party’s victory became clear.
Jeffries described the election as a demand for change and promised that Democrats would respond to public concerns about the economy and government accountability.
“This is not a partisan moment. This is a patriotic one,” he said.
The New York congressman said Democrats would prioritise reducing household expenses, expanding access to healthcare, and restoring congressional oversight of the executive branch.
He also promised to reverse cuts to Medicaid, the federal programme that provides healthcare coverage to low-income Americans and people with disabilities.
“We’re going to fight to make sure that we make this country affordable for every single American,” Jeffries said in remarks reported by NPR.
A Historic First for Black Americans
Jeffries’s expected elevation would mark another milestone in the history of Black political representation in the United States.
No Black American has previously served as speaker of the House, one of the country’s most powerful political offices.
The speaker presides over the 435-member chamber and plays a central role in determining which legislation receives consideration.
The office is also second in the presidential line of succession, after the vice-president.
Jeffries’s expected election comes more than 150 years after the first Black Americans entered Congress during Reconstruction, following the Civil War.
It also follows another historic Democratic leadership appointment.
Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to serve as House speaker in 2007.
Jeffries succeeded Pelosi as the leader of House Democrats in January 2023, becoming the first Black politician to lead either major party in either chamber of Congress.
He has since guided Democrats through four years in the House minority.
His anticipated move to the speakership would complete the transition that began when Pelosi stepped aside from her leadership position.
Pelosi Congratulates Her Successor
Pelosi welcomed the Democratic victory and praised Jeffries’s leadership.
In an official statement, the former speaker described his expected election as a landmark achievement.
“With tremendous personal pride, I congratulate our next Speaker, Hakeem Jeffries,” she said.
Pelosi credited him with leading Democrats to victory and expressed confidence in his ability to manage the chamber.
Jeffries is expected to lead a Democratic leadership team that includes Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts as majority leader and Representative Pete Aguilar of California as majority whip.
The three have worked together in the party’s leadership since 2023.
From Brooklyn to Congressional Leadership
Jeffries was born in Brooklyn, New York, and trained as a lawyer before entering politics.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University, and a law degree from New York University.
He worked as a lawyer before winning election to the New York State Assembly in 2006.
Six years later, he was elected to the US House of Representatives.
He has represented New York’s 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens, since January 2013.
During his congressional career, Jeffries served on the House Judiciary Committee and became chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in 2019.
He also served as one of the House managers during Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020.
Jeffries became House Democratic leader after Pelosi announced that she would no longer seek the party’s top leadership position.
His election to that role represented a generational change in Democratic leadership.
He now faces the prospect of leading the chamber itself.
New Speaker Would Face Trump and Divided Democrats
The change in House leadership will give Democrats greater authority to investigate the Trump administration and challenge its policies.
Jeffries has promised to pursue legislation addressing housing costs, healthcare, taxation, and economic inequality.
He has also supported stronger congressional oversight of federal spending and executive decisions.
According to Reuters, Democrats intend to review spending reductions enacted during the Republican-controlled Congress, including cuts affecting Medicaid.
Jeffries has also indicated that House committees could investigate the administration’s relationships with wealthy donors and corporate executives.
However, he will need to manage competing demands within his own party.
Progressive Democrats have called for more ambitious changes to healthcare, housing, and American foreign policy.
Moderate Democrats have urged the leadership to concentrate on economic issues and proposals capable of attracting broader support.
Some newly elected progressive lawmakers have also sought commitments from Jeffries before pledging their votes in the speaker election.
The president’s veto authority presents another challenge. Even with control of Congress, Democrats cannot enact legislation over Trump’s objections without securing the required supermajorities.
Formal Election Scheduled for January
The House is expected to vote for its next speaker when the new Congress meets on January 3, 2027.
Democratic lawmakers will first select their nominee during internal leadership elections.
The full chamber will then vote to elect the speaker.
Jeffries is widely expected to receive his party’s nomination, although the final vote will determine whether he formally takes office.
The size of the Democratic majority will also influence how much support he needs from members of his own party.
For now, the election results have established his path towards becoming the first Black American to hold the House’s highest leadership position.
His formal election would mark the beginning of a new chapter in congressional leadership as Democrats prepare to confront a Republican president during the remaining two years of his term.
