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Democrat

Incumbent

Hakeem Jeffries

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Democrat

Incumbent

Hakeem Jeffries

NY-08 Democratic nominee?

$35.4K

JUN 27, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleU.S. Representative

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyProgressive Democrat

Age55 years old (Aug 4, 1970)

GenderMale

LocationNew York

BackgroundPolitician

EducationBinghamton University (BA, Political Science)

Notable personal detailsHakeem Sekou Jeffries is a U.S. Representative from New York and the House Democratic Leader (House Minority Leader), first elected to Congress in 2012 and serving since 2013. He previously served in the New York State Assembly (2007–2012). He earned degrees from Binghamton University (BA), Georgetown University (MPP), and New York University School of Law (JD), and worked as an attorney including private practice and in-house counsel roles.

SourcesShow

democraticleader.house.gov jeffries.house.gov en.wikipedia.org wikidata.org britannica.com theguardian.com axios.com biography.com nypost.com washingtonreporter.news people.com hakeemjeffries.com ny.gov washingtonpost.com breitbart.com dems.gov clyburn.house.gov wral.com apnews.com cbsnews.com abcnews.go.com foxnews.com bloomberg.com context-cdn.washingtonpost.com congress.gov clerk.house.gov house.gov trahan.house.gov costa.house.gov capac-chu.house.gov es.wikipedia.org commons.wikimedia.org upload.wikimedia.org history.house.gov democrats.house.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports protecting and expanding social programs and tax credits for working- and middle-class Americans while opposing large tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations. Emphasizes defending Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act tax credits and pushing back against Republican proposals described as tax breaks for billionaires. Voting record and public statements show opposition to major GOP tax-cut measures.

Healthcare

Supports protecting and extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and opposes cuts to Medicaid and other public-health programs; advocates expanding access and addressing affordability through government action. Emphasizes defending Medicare/Medicaid funding, preserving ACA tax credits, and pursuing comprehensive reforms to lower healthcare costs.

Immigration & Border

Supports comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border while expanding legal pathways and protections for DREAMers and immigrant families; emphasizes prioritizing enforcement against violent criminals rather than removing family members or lawful residents and calls for oversight and guardrails on ICE. Advocates fixing the broken immigration system through bipartisan legislation and opposing aggressive enforcement tactics that target law‑abiding immigrants.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports broad reproductive freedom including the right to make abortion decisions between a woman and her doctor, opposes efforts to criminalize or ban abortion nationwide, and advocates for federal legislation to protect and restore abortion access (including the Women’s Health Protection Act and related measures).

Climate & Energy

Supports substantial federal investment in reducing emissions and building a clean energy economy, has backed major climate legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, and emphasizes urgent action on climate and environmental justice while pursuing policies to lower energy costs and protect wildlife refuges and coastal communities.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports major gun safety measures including banning assault weapons, expanding background checks, and comprehensive anti–gun-violence legislation aimed at reducing mass shootings and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedMar 14, 2026

Hakeem Jeffries is opposing President Trump’s push to block other legislation until a voter ID and proof-of-citizenship voting bill passes, warning it would suppress voting. He has been making party-building trips and appearances, including stops in Connecticut and Hartford to engage voters and back Democratic candidates as Democrats try to win back the House. Jeffries also met with Maryland Democratic leaders to discuss a proposed mid-cycle redistricting map that could strengthen Democrats’ congressional edge. At the same time, Nancy Pelosi has been publicly promoting Jeffries as a future House Speaker as she prepares to retire.

democraticleader.house.gov+34

Articles

HCHartford Courant3 months ago