WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the midterm elections, Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for their own leadership elections in the House and Senate. There could be some new contenders looking to take the top spot.
Both Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D- NY), appeared to be confident they’ll get their party’s top spot, again.
“I’ll be reelected as majority leader,” Schumer told reporters in the days following the midterms.
With the Democrat’s success in the midterms, it could help support Jeffries’ and Schumer’s bid.
“It’s all assumed Hakeem Jeffries will be the next Speaker of the House,” said Dr. Casey Burgat, the legislative affairs director with George Washington University. “The first Black Speaker. And Chuck Schumer working behind the scenes and recruiting candidates that won in places a year ago with most Democrats saying that would be a waste of money. So, he’s in line to regain the Senate Majority Leader status.”
But we’re hearing not everyone is on board with keeping Jeffries and Schumer.
“You think I don’t have the vote nailed down,” Rep. Jeffries asked a reporter when questioned about having enough support for his election bid. “I guess we’ll find out next Wednesday.”
There’s been some chatter among the Democrats that they are looking for new leaders to help advance their policy and messaging strategy, as well as taking on President Donald Trump’s administration.
For Republicans, sources said current Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R- LA) will not seek a leadership position. Representatives Jim Jordan (R- OH) and Steve Scalise (R- LA) have made it known they’re looking to take the party’s top spot when they become the minority.
Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick (R- PA) shared online that he thinks Senate Republicans should delay their leadership elections until they review what went wrong with the midterm elections for Republicans and to not rush the leadership process.
