Jeffries Faces Growing Rift as Dozens of Democrats Withhold Support for His Leadership

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), long seen as a unifying figure within the Democratic Party, is facing an unexpected test of loyalty as dozens of Democratic congressional candidates signal reluctance—or outright refusal—to support him for party leadership in the next Congress.

According to a new report from Axios, many Democratic candidates vying for U.S. House seats across the country say they are either undecided about backing Jeffries or leaning toward opposing his leadership. The findings suggest a growing undercurrent of dissatisfaction within parts of the Democratic base as the 2026 election cycle gains momentum.

Jeffries, who succeeded Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader in 2022, has until now enjoyed unanimous backing from his caucus. But with divisions widening between establishment figures and progressive activists, that consensus could soon fracture.

While much of the left’s frustration this year has focused on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeffries is increasingly finding himself under scrutiny as well, Axios noted.

Growing Uncertainty Among Democratic Candidates

The outlet reached out to nearly every Democrat running in potentially competitive House races for 2026. Of the 113 candidates who responded—through phone interviews or written statements—only 24 said they would “definitely” vote for Jeffries as minority leader or speaker if Democrats regain control of the chamber. Another seven indicated they were likely to support him.

However, 20 candidates said flatly that they would not vote for Jeffries, and another five said they were leaning against doing so. More than half of those surveyed—57 in total—declined to commit, citing uncertainty about the party’s future direction, Jeffries’ leadership style, and disagreements over strategy or ideology.

Many of those withholding support described their hesitation as less about personality and more about principle. Several said they wanted the next Democratic leader to take a harder line against what they view as the excesses of the Trump-aligned Republican Party and to push more aggressively for progressive priorities like universal healthcare, expanded labor protections, and environmental reform.

Leadership Pushback

In response to the report, Jeffries’ office dismissed suggestions that the Democratic leader’s position was weakening.

“Leader Jeffries is focused on battling Donald Trump, ending the Republican shutdown of the federal government, and addressing the crushing GOP healthcare crisis,” his spokesperson Justin Chermol told Axios. “That’s where his priorities remain.”

While many of the skeptical candidates are political newcomers or long-shot contenders, others have credible paths to victory in competitive districts—potentially shaping the balance of power in the next Congress.

Notable Names Among the Holdouts

Among those declining to pledge support are Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh, two prominent Democrats competing to replace retiring Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Both have expressed openness to new leadership, though neither explicitly ruled out voting for Jeffries if elected.

Other candidates, including Luke Bronin, Donavan McKinney, Mai Vang, Saikat Chakrabarti, and Patrick Roath, have similarly withheld their backing. All are running well-funded campaigns in high-profile races, many against entrenched Democratic incumbents.

In New Hampshire, state representative Heath Howard, a candidate for an open congressional seat, was blunt about his views. “I think we need a new type of leadership that’s going to fight back significantly harder against the Trump administration,” he told Axios.

Abughazaleh struck a similar tone, saying she would support a leader “who is taking actual action against this administration” and urged Democrats to “use our leverage to demand progressive change.”

Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Council member now running in a Texas special election, said she wanted to see more responsiveness from party leaders. “We’ve got to see improvement, without question,” she said.

And Harry Jarin, a firefighter challenging former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), argued that the base’s anger was being ignored. “The frustration of the grassroots isn’t being matched by our leadership,” he said. “That has to change, one way or another.”

Frustration Over Endorsements

One recurring source of irritation among Jeffries’ critics is his refusal to endorse Zohran Mamdani, a socialist candidate running for mayor of New York City. Mamdani, a popular figure among progressives, has become something of a litmus test for left-wing Democrats looking for signs of party solidarity.

“His refusal to endorse Zohran makes me nervous that, if I were to become the nominee in my race, he and the party would not support me,” said Jacob Lawrence, a Democratic challenger to Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.).

Chakrabarti, a progressive activist and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), echoed that concern with a hint of sarcasm. Asked whether he would support Jeffries, he replied, “What was it that Hakeem said about endorsing Zohran? ‘I’ll have conversations with him and see where it goes.’”

A Warning Sign for Party Unity

Although Jeffries retains strong institutional backing and remains a prolific fundraiser for Democrats, the wave of hesitation among new candidates reflects deeper tension within the party over its direction and identity. As Democrats prepare for what is expected to be another high-stakes election cycle, the challenge for Jeffries will be to bridge those ideological divides—or risk presiding over a fractured caucus when the next Congress convenes.