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Jeffries Launches Bid to Be First Black Speaker as Thune Moves to Lead Senate GOP in the Minority

Illustration of the U.S. Capitol dome at dusk with a gavel on a desk, a blue arrow rising on the left and a red arrow falling on the right

The votes are barely counted, and Washington is already picking its new leaders. One day after Democrats took control of both chambers in the 2026 midterms, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally launched his bid to become Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he will run to lead Republicans in the minority. Here’s what each side is planning and what comes next.

Jeffries makes his Speaker bid official

On Wednesday, Jeffries sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to House Democrats announcing his candidacy to be the 57th Speaker of the House. If he wins, the New York Democrat would be the first Black Speaker in the chamber’s history.

The letter frames the new majority’s agenda around three themes: affordability, accountability and American values. Jeffries said Democrats will set up five affordability working groups focused on housing, health care, groceries and everyday goods, gas and utilities, and caregiving. He also took direct aim at the outgoing Republican majority, writing that “the days of the House functioning like a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump Administration are over,” according to the text released by his office.

NTD reported that the priorities Jeffries outlined for the first 100 days include reversing Medicaid cuts, restoring SNAP food assistance, extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, ending tariffs and stopping the war with Iran. Not every Democrat is fully on board yet; the outlet noted that some progressives have voiced reservations about his leadership.

Thune moves to lead Republicans in the minority

Across the Capitol, a spokesperson confirmed that Thune, 65, will run for Senate minority leader after Republicans lost their majority, as reported by The Washington Post and Roll Call. Senate Republicans are scheduled to hold leadership elections on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. in the Old Senate Chamber.

Thune signaled he plans to push back hard on the incoming majority. “Senate Republicans will not stand idly by as the far-left, socialist wing of the Democrat Party attempts to unwind everything we’ve done,” he said. Sen. John Barrasso, 74, is seeking the whip position. Barrasso acknowledged the defeat, saying, “There are clear lessons to be learned from the results.” So far, no challenger to Thune has emerged, and Sen. Rick Scott said back in September that he would not run for leader.

Where the Senate math stands

Democrats have won 54 Senate seats according to Decision Desk HQ projections cited by The Hill, with races in Alaska and Mississippi still uncalled. That means the final Democratic majority could land anywhere from 54 to 56 seats. Chuck Schumer is expected to become majority leader, and Senate Democrats are set to hold their own leadership elections in early December.

The lame-duck rush

Republicans still control the Senate until the new Congress is sworn in, and some are trying to make the most of the remaining weeks. Sen. Mike Lee is urging colleagues to confirm 135 of President Trump’s pending nominees during the lame-duck session, according to reports. Some conservatives are also openly encouraging Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to consider retiring while Republicans can still confirm replacements, echoing earlier warnings from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Neither justice has announced any plans.

What’s next

Nov. 10: Senate Republicans vote on their leadership team, with Thune and Barrasso the expected picks.
Early December: Senate Democrats hold their leadership elections, with Schumer expected to lead the majority.
January: The new House votes on a Speaker when the next Congress convenes, where Jeffries would need a majority of members voting.
Now through January: Watch for a burst of nomination votes in the lame-duck Senate.

Why it matters

Leadership picks shape what actually reaches the floor. With Democrats set to control both chambers and President Trump still in the White House, the next two years are shaping up as a classic divided-government standoff. Jeffries’ affordability pitch and Thune’s promise to resist give an early preview of the fights ahead over health care, food aid, tariffs and foreign policy.