F39.Jeffries Losing Support, Dozens of Dems Won’t Commit To Backing Him
Jeffries Losing Support, Dozens of Dems Won’t Commit To Backing Him
Dozens of Democratic candidates running for U.S. House seats nationwide told Axios they either would not support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for party leader or were not prepared to commit to voting for him.
The responses suggest growing unease within some parts of the Democratic Party about its current leadership as the 2026 election cycle approaches, the outlet reported this week.
Since assuming the role of Democratic leader in 2022, Hakeem Jeffries has maintained unanimous support within his caucus. That unity, however, may be tested in the next Congress amid rising frustration from grassroots activists, particularly on the party’s left flank.
While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has drawn much of the criticism from progressive circles this year, Jeffries is increasingly becoming a focal point of dissatisfaction as well, Axios noted.
Axios contacted nearly every Democrat running for a U.S. House seat considered potentially winnable for the party in 2026, receiving responses from 113 candidates through phone interviews or written statements.
Of those surveyed, 20 said they would not vote for Hakeem Jeffries as speaker or minority leader, while another five indicated they were likely to oppose him. Fifty-seven candidates declined to commit to supporting Jeffries, describing it as too early to decide or citing concerns over ideology, strategy, messaging, or leadership style.
Only 24 respondents said they would definitely back Jeffries, and seven more said they were likely to do so, the outlet said.
However, his office pushed back on the narrative that he’s lost support.
“Leader Jeffries is focused on battling Donald Trump, ending the Republican shutdown of the federal government and addressing the crushing GOP health care crisis,” Jeffries spokesperson Justin Chermol told Axios.
Many of the Democrats expressing skepticism toward Hakeem Jeffries are political outsiders or long-shot candidates, while several front-runners in key battleground races declined to respond to Axios’ inquiries. Still, a number of Jeffries’ critics and noncommittal candidates have credible paths to winning seats in Congress.
Among them are Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh, two leading contenders in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), both of whom stopped short of pledging to support Jeffries.
Other prominent challengers — including Luke Bronin, Donavan McKinney, Mai Vang, Saikat Chakrabarti, and Patrick Roath — have also withheld their support. Each is running well-funded campaigns aimed at unseating long-serving Democratic incumbents.
Heath Howard, a New Hampshire state representative running for an open U.S. House seat, told Axios regarding the Democratic leader: “I think we need to have a new type of leadership that’s … going to fight back significantly harder against the Trump administration.”
Abughazaleh, meanwhile, told Axios she will support a leader who is “taking actual action against this administration” and that the left should use “our leverage to demand progressive change.”
“We’ve got to see improvement, without question,” Amanda Edwards, who was a member of the Houston city council and is now running in a Texas special election, told the outlet.
Harry Jarin, a firefighter mounting a primary challenge to former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), told Axios: “The anger of the base right now is not being matched by Democratic leadership … and that is going to have to change one way or another.”
A recurring theme among candidates who declined to back Jeffries was his refusal to endorse socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — a decision that has also become a source of frustration among left-wing members of Congress.
“His refusal to endorse Zohran makes me nervous that, if I were to become the nominee in my race, he and the party would not support me,” noted Jacob Lawrence, who is set to challenged Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.).
Chakrabarti, when asked whether he would support for Jeffries, quipped: “What is it that Hakeem said about endorsing Zohran? ‘I’ll have conversations with him and see where it goes.’”
“SHE WAS K****LED” Head of Police FINALLY Breaks Silence on What Really Happened During Princess Diana’s Last Night in Paris 😱
Police Chief Breaks Silence on the Case of Princess Diana: What Really Happened in Paris
Nearly three decades after the tragic death of Princess Diana, the world continues to demand clarity. Now, a senior police chief has spoken publicly once again, reaffirming the official findings while acknowledging the pain and unanswered questions that linger.
A Tragic Night in the Alma Tunnel
On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Al-Fayed, and driver Henri Paul lost their lives in a high-speed crash inside the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. From the very beginning, speculation swirled: was it simply a terrible accident, or was there something more?
Investigations by both French authorities and later Scotland Yard concluded the cause was clear — a tragic collision fueled by speed, dangerous driving, and a driver under the influence. “It was an accident, a terrible, heartbreaking accident,” the police chief emphasized.
Addressing the Conspiracies
For years, conspiracy theories have clouded the memory of Diana’s final hours. Some suggested foul play, others hinted at hidden plots within the royal family. But the police chief was adamant: “Every credible lead was investigated. There was no conspiracy, no cover-up, and no evidence of assassination. The truth is painful, but it is simple: Diana’s death was the result of reckless driving and the relentless pursuit of paparazzi.”
A World Still in Mourning
The officer acknowledged that for many, accepting the official conclusion has been difficult. Princess Diana was more than a royal — she was “the people’s princess,” adored worldwide. Her sudden loss at just 36 years old left a wound that has never fully healed.
“Because Diana was so loved, it is human nature to search for deeper explanations,” the chief said. “But we owe it to her memory, and to the public, to stand by the facts.”
Lessons from Tragedy
The investigation also highlighted the dangers of paparazzi culture, road safety, and the vulnerability of high-profile figures. “This was not only a royal tragedy, it was a human tragedy,” the police chief noted. “It should remind us of the consequences of intrusion, pressure, and neglecting safety.”
The Final Word
After nearly 28 years, the official conclusion remains unchanged: Princess Diana’s death was the result of a devastating car crash, not a plot or crime. Yet the myths and speculation live on, a reflection of the deep love and fascination the world continues to hold for her.
Police officer action figure
“The case is closed in the eyes of the law,” the chief concluded, “but Diana’s memory will remain forever open in the hearts of millions.”
