Several incoming House Democrats are declining to commit to supporting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker, exposing potential divisions within the party as it prepares to take control of the lower chamber in January.
The uncertainty comes amid criticism from progressive Democratic voters and lawmakers over Jeffries’ leadership and political positions, raising questions about whether the New York Democrat will face resistance from members of his own party during the upcoming speaker election.
Rep.-elect Adam Hamawy, a progressive New Jersey Democrat who recently appeared on controversial left-wing streamer Hasan Piker’s show, told Fox News Digital that he “hasn’t decided yet” whether he will support Jeffries.
Rep.-elect Patty Garcia, D-Ill., echoed the same uncertainty, saying she would “be united with the progressive caucus” when deciding how to vote.
Claire Valdez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who was elected to represent New York’s 7th Congressional District, declined to comment when asked by Fox News Digital whether she would support Jeffries.
Rep.-elect Jamie Ager, D-N.C., also declined to comment, while incoming Texas Democrat Katie Padilla Stout said, “I don’t know, we’ll see,” when asked about her vote.
Rep.-elect Fred Wellman, D-Mo., similarly told Fox News Digital that he had not made up his mind, suggesting that other incoming Democrats shared his uncertainty.
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However, several incoming lawmakers expected to join the Congressional Black Caucus expressed support for Jeffries.
“I am for Hakeem Jeffries. There is no doubt about that, he will be a transformative speaker and I truly think that his leadership is going to change the country for the better,” Rep.-elect Adrian Boafo told Fox News Digital.
“I think our party is on the right track after that historic night,” Rep.-elect Jasmine Clark, D-Ga., told Fox News Digital, adding that she would “absolutely” vote for Jeffries.
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Rep.-elect Cyril Jefferson, D-N.C., said he was leaning toward supporting Jeffries but wanted the Democratic caucus to have an open discussion about its legislative priorities before selecting its next leader.
“We have to make sure that if there are questions and concerns back home, we have to take time and ask those questions, address those concerns and make sure that the priorities we stood on and ran are the concerns the speaker can get Congress to get behind,” Jefferson told Fox News Digital.
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Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, also expressed his support for Jeffries, telling Fox News Digital that he is “Hakeem Jeffries all the way.”
Other incoming Democrats, including Scott Wiener, D-Calif., and Brad Lander, D-N.Y., said they support Jeffries for speaker but believe the party should remain open to internal debate over its priorities and direction.
“Obviously, people have different approaches of how we’ll do that and that’s what we are here to figure out,” Lander told Fox News Digital.
Despite the uncertainty among some incoming members, Lander predicted that Jeffries would be “overwhelmingly elected.”
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The Democratic caucus is expected to select its nominee for speaker next week ahead of the full House vote when the 120th Congress convenes in January.
