In a notable shift within the Democratic Party, several left-wing primary challengers have openly declared their reluctance to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) for the position of Speaker.
This development comes as grassroots Democrats increasingly express dissatisfaction with their party's leadership.
Saikat Chakrabarti, an activist challenging former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), candidly stated, "I wouldn't vote for Jeffries," citing concerns about Jeffries' leadership. Similarly, Kat Abughazaleh, a former Media Matters producer running against veteran Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.), voiced her discontent, saying she is "not super happy with" Jeffries and that her vote for Speaker "just depends on the situation."
According to The Washington Free Beacon, these sentiments are echoed by an anonymous House Democrat who acknowledged that "progressive primary insurgents could 'absolutely' be a problem for Jeffries," as reported by Axios.
This growing discontent among rank-and-file Democrats is partly fueled by a perceived inability of party leaders to effectively counter the Trump administration. As reported by Politico, the Democratic Party is teetering on the edge of an intra-party revolt reminiscent of the Tea Party movement. Recent polls by CNN and NBC indicate a significant decline in the party's favorability, with ratings plummeting to historic lows of 29 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Democratic group Navigator Research reveals that nearly 70 percent of voters in swing districts view congressional Democrats as out of touch.
Adding to the internal strife, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) faces increasing pressure to resign following his vote alongside Republicans on a funding bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown. Chakrabarti expressed uncertainty about alternative leadership within the party, stating, "I'm not sure who else in the party right now could lead, is the problem," and called for "new leadership" to take charge. Abughazaleh urged Jeffries to "get based" and refrain from criticizing party members who oppose President Trump.
Despite the mounting challenges, Jeffries remains optimistic about his prospects. At a press conference, he asserted his confidence in securing full caucus support in the next Speaker election, highlighting his track record of "unanimous support now, what, 20 different times across 2 different Congresses? Kind of speaks for itself," he remarked. As the 2026 elections approach, the Democratic Party faces a critical juncture, with calls for change resonating among its ranks.
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