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US Politics

House Democratic leader Jeffries formally launches bid for speaker after midterm win

The letter names affordability, accountability and American values as priorities, and Just the News says no Democrat had announced a challenge as of press time.

Hakeem Jeffries in 2021
Hakeem Jeffries in 2021. Photo: Office of Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5 news outlets reported this · Little coverage from liberal outlets
Liberal1 outletJeffries' letter and his near-certain path to speakerCenter0 outletslittle coverageConservative4 outletsDemocrats' sweep and Jeffries' attacks on Trump
Published 3 min read
Overview

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, made his run for speaker official on Wednesday. He sent colleagues a letter that humbly asks for their support. The letter came a day after the elections, in which Democrats won a large House majority and will also control the for the rest of President Trump's term.

Jeffries named three priorities: affordability, accountability and American values. He would be the first African American speaker. Fox News reports that Democrats were projected to win 237 House seats to 139 for Republicans when it wrote its story, with some races still too close to call.

A majority needs 218 votes. Axios reports he is not expected to face serious opposition, though some incoming progressives and Democrats from red districts have not pledged their backing. Just the News says no Democrat had announced a challenge as of press time.

Fox says House Democrats are slated to hold leadership elections in mid-December. Just the News reports that Mike Johnson will not try to stay on as Republican leader once his party is in the minority.

Key figures
  • 237 House seats projected for Democrats at the time of Fox's writing — Fox News
  • 139 House seats projected for Republicans at the time of Fox's writing — Fox News
  • 59 House races still too close to call, per Fox — Fox News
  • 255 or more Democrats Jeffries told reporters he anticipates in the House next year — Fox News
  • 218 votes needed for a House majority, as Just the News counts it — Just the News

Three sides of the story

Liberal1 outlet

Jeffries' letter and his near-certain path to speaker

Axios opens with the news that Jeffries formally began his run on Wednesday through a letter to colleagues. Its headline tells readers to "Read" the letter. Under "Why it matters," it says he is "widely expected" to win the gavel after House Democrats' "landslide midterm win" and would be the first African American speaker.

It quotes his request for support and his call for "dramatic change the American people are demanding." It lists his three areas: affordability, accountability and American values. Under "Between the lines,"

Axios says some incoming progressive and red-district Democrats have not pledged to back him, but he is not expected to face any serious opposition. It adds that the big majority Democrats won on Tuesday "will further help to insulate" him. It closes with his senior team, also expected to run uncontested: Katherine Clark for majority leader, Pete Aguilar for majority whip, Ted Lieu for caucus chair and Joe Neguse for assistant speaker.

Center0 outlets

Outlets on this side gave the story little coverage.

Conservative4 outlets

Democrats' sweep and Jeffries' attacks on Trump

Fox News heads its report "after 's midterm massacre" and quotes Jeffries blaming "toxic GOP policies" such as Trump's and the Iran war for high costs. It says a small group of "far-left socialists" is expected to pose a "headache" for him, and it gives seat projections. The Washington Examiner calls the win "resounding" and quotes Jeffries on taxpayers "drowning in this failed economy."

It notes the letter touts a bipartisan housing bill and discharge petitions, and it quotes Katherine Clark. Just the News says he is expected to command well over 218 votes, that no Democrat has announced a challenge as of press time, and that Mike Johnson will not seek to remain GOP leader. It quotes Jeffries, according to Politico, on delivering "dramatic change."

The Washington Times headline says he "lists priorities."

All sources: 5 articles from 5 outlets

Liberal (1)

Conservative (4)

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Senate

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GOP

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