Hakeem Jeffries could lead US House in January 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
Hakeem Jeffries could become the first African American to preside over the US House of Representatives after the Democrats’ projected victory in the midterm elections. His election must still be confirmed by a vote when Congress opens on 3 January 2027, Bénin Web TV reports.
Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democratic group in the US House of Representatives, is the favourite to become the first African American to preside over the chamber after the Democrats’ projected victory in the midterm elections on 3 November 2026. His accession must still be confirmed by a vote of representatives when the new Congress opens, scheduled for 3 January 2027, according to Bénin Web TV.
Aged 56, the New York lawmaker could succeed Republican Mike Johnson after four years of Republican control of the House, which has 435 seats. The count was, however, continuing in several constituencies and the final number of seats held by each party had not yet been established.
The Speaker of the House sets the agenda for debates and plays a central role in budget negotiations with the White House. He also ranks second in the order of succession to the US presidency, after Vice-President JD Vance. The election of Hakeem Jeffries would make him the first African American to hold the position, 156 years after Joseph Rainey, the first black man elected to the House in 1870.
The Democratic victory in the House comes after the US midterm elections, held on 3 November. It is part of the takeover of both chambers of the US Congress, announced on 4 November.
