House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faces some opposition within his party, but Kalshi traders price him as the favorite to become the next House speaker.
Kalshi’s speaker of the House market shows Jeffries leading with 95.2%, followed by Ayanna Pressley at 4.2% and Ro Khanna at 1%.
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Jeffries faces no declared challenger for Democratic leadership
As of Friday, no sitting or incoming House Democrat had publicly announced a challenge to Jeffries' leadership bid.
The New York Times reported that Jeffries appears positioned to retain his party's leadership in next week's Democratic caucus elections, despite calls from some Democrats for a replacement.
“His allies this week began asking Democrats to sign a letter publicly signaling their backing for Mr. Jeffries ahead of the House Democrats’ closed-door leadership elections on Wednesday,” The Times wrote. “Some of them think he deserves to be elected unanimously during that session, bypassing a vote by secret ballot that would give any dissenters a chance to register opposition.”
The New Democrat Coalition, a group of center-left House Democrats, has endorsed Jeffries, while his allies are working to secure additional support ahead of Wednesday's leadership election.
Axios called Jeffries’ path “a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Pressley has privately told colleagues she does not want to become House speaker, according to Axios.
Rep. Jamie Raskin also indicated that he would not challenge Jeffries, telling Axios that his “dream job” is to chair the House Judiciary Committee.
Outside groups and constituents are also urging lawmakers to support alternatives to Jeffries. Rep.-elect Don Leonard told Axios he has received an “avalanche of messages” asking him to oppose Jeffries. Rep.-elect Melat Kiros said she is getting “hundreds” of calls telling her to do the same.
The Hill reported that a Change.org petition organized by the Coalition for Speaker Ayanna Pressley received 90,000 signatures asking for Pressley to become the next speaker of the House.
The coalition cited Pressley’s record on issues like criminal justice reform and climate change. It also said Pressley “represents a beacon of hope and integrity in a tumultuous political landscape.”
Jeffries has also faced public protests over his leadership. Mediaite reported that Jeffries was heckled on stage at the What’s Next conference in Denver during an interview with Fox News host Jessica Tarlov. The heckler called him a “f---ing liar” and shouted, “The American people demanded impeachment! 90% of Democrats, who you pretend to lead,” referring to the failed impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Some Democrats have raised concerns that newly elected progressive lawmakers could complicate Jeffries' path to the speakership. Newsweek reported, “Many are unhappy with his stance on Israel as well as a private meeting he held with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, before the midterm elections.”
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