New York Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, considered a rising star in the party, won his bid for chairman of the Democratic caucus Wednesday.
Jeffries, 48, beat California Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee, a 20-year veteran of the House, by a vote of 123-113 for the No. 5 leadership position.
Lee launched her bid for chairwoman months before Jeffries, but the three-term Democrat ultimately prevailed.
A number of members have long named Jeffries as a potential successor to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
“A lot of people are looking at Hakeem Jeffries and thinking long term,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., who supported Lee. “He is like a sponge and he can absorb stuff fast as anybody I’ve ever seen.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from a previous version in which an error was made during the editing process.
