Forrest Lamp™

Yes, a seated Democrat can run for and be elected Speaker of the House, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially announced his run for the position. Key facts regarding running for Speaker of the House: •Eligibility: There is no constitutional requirement that the Speaker must be from the majority party or even a seated member of Congress, though historical practice has always chosen a sitting member. • •Democratic Majority: Following the recent elections, Democrats won control of the House, putting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in line to be nominated and elected as Speaker when the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. • •Voting Requirement: To win the office, a candidate needs a majority of the votes from House members who are present and voting (traditionally 218 votes if all 435 members participate)