Overview
- Axios reports a growing bloc of Democratic House candidates refusing to commit to backing Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, expanding on an earlier tally of more than 80 skeptics.
- Progressive challenger Mai Vang said she cannot support Jeffries’ leadership, citing concerns over party response to the Middle East conflict and donor influence in primaries.
- Jeffries’ allies express little concern and note he has endured 20 speaker ballots without losing a Democratic vote.
- Spokesperson Justin Charmol said Jeffries is focused on affordability, halting bombing in the Middle East, reining in ICE, and winning the House, while dismissing the flap as a frivolous story.
- The stakes hinge on primary outcomes and the size of any Democratic majority, with Tuesday’s Illinois races featuring open seats where at least one candidate in each has declined to pledge support for Jeffries.