Hakeem Jeffries announces run for speaker, promising ‘dramatic change’
Politico's Inside Congress newsletter reports Hakeem Jeffries announced his run for speaker on Nov 4, 2026, promising "dramatic change" and vowing to become the House's first Black speaker, as Democrats' midterm sweep returned them to power and Mike Johnson stepped aside. Republicans now face leadership contests, with Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan vying for minority leader and Tom Emmer facing August Pfluger for whip.
