The key facts

  • Pete Aguilar asks colleagues for support in a letter, naming affordability, oversight of the Trump administration, and party unity as his priorities
  • Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black Speaker in U.S. history, and Katherine Clark the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader
  • Democratic leadership elections are on November 18–19, with the Speaker vote on January 3

Aguilar is running for House Democratic Whip

California Congressman Pete Aguilar, who serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, announced on Thursday that he will run for the post of Democratic Whip. According to Anadolu, he sent colleagues a letter asking for their support, in which he outlined his agenda: affordability issues, congressional oversight of the Donald Trump administration, and preserving party unity. “On Tuesday, the American people entrusted us with their votes so that we would serve as a check on this administration while maintaining a laser focus on affordability,” the outlet quoted Aguilar's letter as saying.

A shake-up across the entire leadership team

Aguilar's announcement is part of a broader leadership reshuffle, as Democrats, after winning the midterm elections, are preparing to take control of both chambers of Congress in January. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries officially launched his campaign for Speaker on Wednesday: if elected, he will become the first Black Speaker in U.S. history. The Speaker is elected by the full House and ranks second in the line of presidential succession after the vice president.

Katherine Clark is running for House Majority Leader

Current Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the second-ranking member of Jeffries's team, also announced on Thursday that she is running for House Majority Leader, a role that oversees the party's legislative agenda and vote coordination. If elected, she will become the first woman to hold this position. Democrats will hold their leadership elections on November 18–19, and the new Congress will convene on January 3, when the House will vote for Speaker. As a result of the elections, divided government is taking shape: Trump remains in the White House, while Democrats control Congress.