Jeffries officially bids for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives
The Democrats choose their caucus leadership on 18 November; the Speaker is elected in January by the full House.
Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, is officially running for the office of Speaker. This is reported by ABC News on 4 November 2026 at 22:10 CET. According to ABC, in a letter to the members of his caucus Jeffries asks for support for his candidacy.
According to ABC, the Democrats in the House of Representatives elect their leadership on 18 November in a closed session. For the nomination, Jeffries needs a simple majority of the caucus. The Speaker is then elected in January by the full House; according to ABC, 218 votes are needed for this. The new Congress convenes on 3 January 2027.
Among the Republicans, Speaker Mike Johnson does not want to run again as party leader, according to CBS News. According to CBS, Steve Scalise wants to become minority leader.
The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is projected, not official. The AP and the major broadcasters have not yet given a firm seat count. CBS News estimates 251 to 268 seats for the Democrats (as of 4 November, 21:10 CET). More in the timeline and under House of Representatives.