57 declined to commit, calling it too early to decide or expressing concerns about the party’s messaging and direction.
Only 24 candidates said they would definitely support him, while seven said they were likely to do so.
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The numbers reveal a noticeable fracture among the next generation of Democratic hopefuls — especially those aligning with the progressive wing of the party.
Growing Frustration on the Left
While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has often been a focal point of progressive criticism, Jeffries is increasingly facing similar pushback from younger and more activist-aligned Democrats. Many argue that the party’s current leadership has failed to show enough urgency in confronting conservative policies or advancing bold reforms.
Some candidates told Axios that their hesitation isn’t about Jeffries personally but about what he represents — a continuation of establishment politics.
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Heath Howard, a state representative from New Hampshire running for Congress, put it bluntly: “We need leadership that’s ready to fight back much harder against the Trump administration and what it stands for.”
Kat Abughazaleh, running in Illinois to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, said she would support a leader who is “taking real action” against Republican policies and using the left’s influence “to demand progressive change.”
Amanda Edwards, a former Houston city council member now running for Congress, told the outlet, “We’ve got to see improvement, without question.”
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Key Candidates Keeping Their Distance
Among the better-known names who have declined to commit to supporting Jeffries are Daniel Biss, Kat Abughazaleh, Luke Bronin, Donavan McKinney, Mai Vang, Saikat Chakrabarti, and Patrick Roath — all of whom are running strong campaigns, many aimed at unseating long-time Democratic incumbents.
Harry Jarin, a firefighter challenging former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), said, “The anger of the base right now is not being matched by Democratic leadership, and that’s going to have to change one way or another.”
Another source of discontent stems from Jeffries’ decision not to endorse socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a favorite among progressive activists. Several candidates cited that refusal as evidence of what they view as a disconnect between the party’s leadership and its more activist base.
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Jacob Lawrence, a candidate challenging Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards in North Carolina, said Jeffries’ lack of support for Mamdani “makes me nervous that, if I were to become the nominee in my race, he and the party would not support me.”
