Photo Courtesy of Rep. Jeffries’s Office
Jeffries recently completed a term as co-chairman of the House Democratic messaging apparatus.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Riding a wave of momentum following the Democrats’ regaining control of the House, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Queens and Brooklyn) on Thursday announced his intention to run for chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
In a letter seeking support from his House colleagues, Jeffries, who served as co-chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee during the last congressional session, said his candidacy is anchored in three principles: “Our team is strongest when everyone is on the playing field”; “Learn from the past, succeed in the future”; and “The best defense is a good offense.”
“Together, we delivered a strong ‘For the People’ closing argument to America that was simple and authentic to who we are as public servants. We emphasized an agenda focused on lower healthcare costs, increased pay for everyday Americans and cleaning up corruption in Washington. It worked,” Jeffries wrote. “Now that the midterm election is over and we have successfully completed the mission, I look forward to the possibility of continuing my work as a member of the House Democratic leadership team.”
A native of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Jeffries, 48, received his bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Bighamton, graduated from NYU School of Law, and earned a master’s degree in public policy at Georgetown University. He was a corporate lawyer before serving in the Assembly from 2007 to 2012. He won the race for the 8th Congressional District seat in 2012. The 8th CD features Howard Beach and Ozone Park in Queens, and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, Ocean Hill, East Flatbush, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Coney Island in Brooklyn.
In characterizing House Dems as “the strongest” team “when everyone is on the playing field,” Jeffries said “the wisdom, experience, brilliance and creativity of the Caucus is a phenomenal asset that I have witnessed firsthand in my role as DPCC co-chair. For this reason, it is essential that every member has meaningful policymaking and public engagement opportunities regardless of length of service. In that regard, the Caucus chair position can be used to facilitate policy collaboration in a manner designed to ensure that all members thrive, diversity of thought is respected and our majority is successful.”
In his missive, Jeffries also said that Democrats must learn from the past before they’re able to succeed in the future.
“To stay in charge, we must act aggressively on a bold legislative agenda and consistently message to the American people what we are doing to improve their quality of life. If we fail to adequately communicate, our legislative efforts will fall victim to the type of mischaracterizations that took place when Barack Obama was President during the 111th Congress. We cannot allow that to happen again,” Jeffries wrote. “I hope to use the Caucus chair position to help us govern with unity, communicate with simplicity and ensure that we remain in the majority.”
Jeffries went on to posit that the Dems’ “success in the midterm election shows that the American people want change.”
“In the context of a divided government, we must try to shape public sentiment through strong legislative action and meaningful oversight,” Jeffries added. “In doing so, we can create an environment to get good things done and stop bad things from happening.”
