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Would the Philly Democrats running for Congress back Hakeem Jeffries for speaker of the House?

State Rep. Chris Rabb is keeping his powder dry, aligning himself with other progressive lawmakers and candidates who may push for a more liberal speaker.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) speaks during a news conference at the Capitol on Jan. 5.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) speaks during a news conference at the Capitol on Jan. 5. Read moreMatt McClain / The Washington Post

The outcome of next month’s Democratic primary for Philadelphia’s open congressional seat will likely have no impact on the party’s high-stakes campaign to regain control of the U.S. House, given that it is one of the bluest districts in the country.

But if Democrats win a majority, the next representative for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District could play a role in deciding the next speaker of the House, who controls the flow of legislation and is second in the line of presidential succession.

Two of the top three contenders in the heated Philadelphia primary — State Sen. Sharif Street and physician Ala Stanford — have pledged to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), the heir apparent to the gavel should Democrats reclaim a majority for the first time since Republicans took control in 2023.

But State Rep. Chris Rabb is keeping his powder dry, aligning himself with other progressive candidates and lawmakers who may push for a more liberal speaker or for concessions from Jeffries.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to Congress,” Rabb said in a statement. “But what folks need to know is that I’m nobody’s rubber stamp — and I suspect that may be one of the handful of reasons voters will be voting for me on May 19th.”

Democrats are projected to retake the House in November, as voter attitudes sour on the economy and the unpopular war with Iran. Traditionally, the minority leader who guides a party back to power becomes the next speaker.

Jeffries succeeded one-time Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) as the top Democrat in the House in 2023. He has been credited with keeping the caucus united during President Donald Trump’s second term.

But representatives from the party’s left wing have increasingly called on Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.+47) to more aggressively confront the president. More than 80 Democrat House candidates across the country have declined to pledge to vote for Jeffries for speaker, according to Axios.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes many of the members who would be on the frontlines of any potential revolt against Jeffries, recently endorsed Rabb.

At a campaign event last week, Street called out Rabb for not committing to back Jeffries, who would become the first Black speaker of the House if elected.

“As a Black man, I’d be proud to vote for Hakeem Jeffries,” Street said. “There are Black men in this race that say they won’t commit to vote for Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.”

Black residents make up 52% of the congressional district’s population, according to Census data, and Street appeared to be attempting to drive a wedge between Rabb and Black voters. All three of the 3rd District frontrunners — Rabb, Street, and Stanford — are Black.

“I got no deals [with Jeffries], he ain’t gave me a check, but I respect the brother and the work he’s doing, and I am for him,” Street said. “There are candidates out there that will not commit to vote for the first Black speaker, and you need to understand that, because I’m with the brother.”

Stanford, who rose to prominence after founding the Black Doctors Consortium during the COVID-19 pandemic, also framed her support for Jeffries around the potential for him to make history.

“Hakeem Jeffries becoming the first Black Speaker of the House will be historic,” Stanford said in a statement. “He’s proven to be a thoughtful and fearless leader in a tumultuous time, even in the minority.”

No Republican has filed to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat, meaning the winner of the May 19 primary is all but guaranteed to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans in the House next year.

Evans has repeatedly voted for Jeffries in leadership elections, and Jeffries praised Evans when the longtime Northwest Philadelphia lawmaker announced last year he would not be seeking reelection.

“For more than four decades, Dwight Evans has served his hometown of Philadelphia as a teacher, community organizer, State Representative and Congressman,” Jeffries said in a June 2025 statement. “He has spent his entire career being a voice for the voiceless and fighting for economic justice in the urban communities that are too often left behind.”

    Sean Collins Walsh
    I report from the City Hall bureau, covering the mayor and City Council and searching for stories about Philly politics.