Axios · Republicans · White House · Democrats · Axios
Democrat sidesteps questions about Hakeem Jeffries in debate with Republican foe
Compiled by KHAO Editorial — aggregated from 1 source. See llms.txt for citation guidance.
◌ Single Source
The Democratic nominee in a special House election in New Jersey repeatedly dodged questions on Wednesday about whether she would support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for speaker.
Key facts
- The Democratic nominee in a special House election in New Jersey repeatedly dodged questions on Wednesday about whether she would support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for speaker
- Asked during a debate with her Republican opponent Joe Hathaway whether Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have articulated a plan to tackle rising costs, Mejia evaded
- Hathaway, for his part, said he would support House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), arguing that he has an "incredibly difficult" role
- Mejia came closest to supporting Jeffries when, pressed a third time, she said he "has taken a bold stance on making sure that they fight DHS and stop the terror that ICE is running
Summary
As Axios has repeatedly documented, many Democrats running for Congress have shied away from firmly committing to support Jeffries' leadership amid grassroots frustration with the party establishment. Several weeks later she told Semafor she "since talked with Leader Jeffries" and said she wants "work in close partnership with the leader, with, obviously, whoever ultimately gets elected, which the reporter believe will be Leader Jeffries. Asked during a debate with her Republican opponent Joe Hathaway whether Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have articulated a plan to tackle rising costs, Mejia evaded. "I think the American people are articulating the plan they want that will make their lives more affordable," she said, without referencing either of the two leaders in her answer.