Hakim Jeffries is chosen as Leader of Democrats in the U.S. House

Photo courtesy of Billboard Magazine

Get ready to see and hear a lot from Congressman Hakim Jeffries. The 52-year-old New Yorker is now the Minority leader of U.S. House Democrats. He was chosen by unanimous voice vote on Wednesday.

A self-described progressive, Jeffries was first elected to Congress in 2012 and has forged relationships with Democratic establishment figures in Washington while navigating the ascending left in his backyard of Brooklyn.

He succeeds House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the first woman to hold that position, as the leader of Democratic representatives in the lower chamber of Congress. Jeffries is the first Black lawmaker to lead a congressional conference in American history.

After Democrats did far better than expected in this year’s midterms but narrowly lost the House majority, Pelosi announced that she would step down as the top Democrat. The day after her announcement, Jeffries, who’s served as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, formally announced his bid for it and was unopposed.

This move signals a generational change from the 82-year-old Pelosi and two other octogenarians who have led the Dems for most of her tenure.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Majority Whip Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), both in their 80s, are being replaced by Reps. Katherine M. Clark (D-Mass.), 59, and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), 43, respectively.