US midterm elections: Who is Hakeem Jeffries? Democrat likely to become first Black US House Speaker | Key achievements

Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, is a frontrunner to become the first Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after Democrats' recent victory in the midterm elections. If elected, Jeffries would be the first African American to hold the position, a milestone that dates back more than 150 years.

As the House Democratic Leader, Jeffries has outlined his priorities to include affordability, accountability, and American values in the Democratic agenda. His plans revolve around addressing household costs and reversing the Trump-era cuts to healthcare spending. However, he may face internal party disagreements on economic policy and foreign policy matters, particularly involving Israel.

The Speaker of the House is the second in line to the presidency and the only leadership position in Congress mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Jeffries will need the support of at least 218 House Democrats to secure the nomination, followed by 218 votes in the House upon the new Congress convening in January.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1970, Jeffries has been a member of the U.S. Congress since 2013, serving six consecutive terms. He is the current Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the former Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus. A graduate of the NYU School of Law, Jeffries has previously served as a litigator at a major law firm and a New York state lawmaker.