This is House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ first election cycle as the top Democrat in his caucus. And he’s truly pounding the pavement, looking to capitalize on the shift in party fortunes to become the first Black speaker.
With President Joe Biden out of the race, House Democrats finally feel as if they have someone they can run with in Vice President Kamala Harris. And if you talk to House Democrats, the enthusiasm is high.
Jeffries has been all over the country, raising money and holding public events for members of the caucus.
There had been concern starting this cycle that the “New Three” of Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar couldn’t match the “Big Three” of Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) in the never-ending chase for campaign cash. The loss of Pelosi’s fundraising prowess atop the caucus was seen as especially worrisome.
But the DCCC and House Majority PAC, the Democratic-leadership affiliated super PAC, have reported strong fundraising totals this cycle.
The DCCC had $87 million on hand as of July 19, as compared to the $70 million that the NRCC has in its coffers. Republicans crow that they are holding their own, based on the cash difference in past years. But numbers are numbers. And Jeffries has been behind a lot of this fundraising.
Jeffries has kept a breakneck schedule. Jeffries has traveled to well over 25 states since becoming Democratic leader.
Recently, Jeffries went to Silicon Valley for a fundraiser. He also visited Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.) for an event with faith leaders and a barbecue with 500 attendees.
Jeffries was on Long Island for a reception with Black church leaders to benefit Laura Gillen, who is challenging New York GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito.
The Democratic leader held a fundraiser in Detroit for Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) and candidates Curtis Hertel and Kristen McDonald Rivet before speaking at a “Black Men for Kamala Harris” event.
Over the weekend, Jeffries was in Martha’s Vineyard with Clark.
Next up is the DNC in Chicago, a pivotal event for Harris and the Democratic Party leadership in the wake of Biden’s withdrawal announcement. Jeffries, of course, will be a star player in this event as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus.
Jeffries will then travel to Dallas for the DCCC, Las Vegas for an event with Reps. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) and Orange County, Calif., for an event with Derek Tran, who is running against Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.).
This is a key few months for Jeffries, Clark and the entire House Democratic Caucus. With Harris as the Democratic nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as VP, House Democrats believe the odds of taking the House back in November have soared. Harris is tied with or beating former President Donald Trump in national and battleground state polls. Democratic fundraising is ramping up too.
Yet perhaps most importantly for Jeffries and House Democrats, Harris is helping them in states like California and New York. These deep blue states aren’t in play for the presidential race but they matter greatly for who will run the House. Harris may be especially valuable in the Golden State, which has a handful of big races to watch.
