As the midterm elections on Tuesday approach, there is a scramble to adapt to the likelihood that Republicans will fill the seats in Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on her way out, and when the changeover occurs, the Democrats will need a minority leader in place.

Politico stated that if Democrats fail to retain the House, Pelosi is generally anticipated to resign from Congress, not only from her leadership position.

According to Five Thirty-Eight, Republicans are favored to win the House of Representatives and are anticipated to declare leadership positions one week after the midterm elections. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy would likely succeed Pelosi as speaker if the anticipated red tsunami of Republicans occurs.

Several names have been bandied around as candidates for the Democratic Party’s leadership position. A few of the names include Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Assistant Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY.

Now, reports are emerging of a meeting that might provide insight on the Democrats’ plans about House leadership. With Pelosi’s departure, one name stands out.

Since 2013, Hakeem Sekou Jefferies has represented the 8th congressional district of New York, which includes eastern Brooklyn and southern Queens. On his website, the 52-year-old lawmaker promotes affordable housing, the flawed criminal justice system, prescription medication pricing, and public education. Since 2019, Jefferies has presided over the Democratic Caucus. According to reports, Jefferies is of the Muslim faith.

Politico claims that a private meeting on September 1 may have put Hakeem Jeffries on the map to succeed Nancy Pelosi as the top Democrat in the House. In the case of a Republican landslide, Jeffries would become the minority leader.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York reportedly met in Clyburn’s office over the congressional summer break.

Jeffries, the fifth-ranking Democrat in the House who aims to be the top-ranking Democrat, heard rumors about a colleague and took action.

Jefferies became aware of California Representative Adam Schiff’s “quiet campaign” for the speakership, prompting the New York lawmaker to go to California and talk with Clyburn. According to the Daily Caller, Clyburn stated his entire support for Jeffries’ candidacy during the meeting.

“There’s nothing I would ever do to impede the progress of our up-and-coming young Democrats, and I see him as an up-and-coming young Democrat,” Clyburn said of Jeffries, according to Politico. “He knows that, I didn’t have to tell him that — but I did.”

More on this story via The Republic Brief:

The 82 year old Clyburn added he is “willing to do anything the caucus thinks is to their benefit” and noted that Jefferies has “referred to me a sa mentor.” CONTINUE READING…