In the lead up to this week’s midterm election, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has been crisscrossing the country, campaigning with embattled Democratic candidates.

The New York Democrat wrapped up the campaign season Monday with a stop close to home, stumping in Queens on behalf of 3rd District Democratic candidate Robert Zimmerman.

“He cares about working families, he cares about the working class,” Jeffries said of Zimmerman.

In the past few months, Jeffries — who serves as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus — has rallied with Democrats in toss-up congressional races in states like Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Virginia, Oregon, and Nevada, among others. He has campaigned with incumbents like Rep. Elissa Slotkin in Michigan and challengers like Jevin Hodge in Arizona.


What You Need To Know

  • In recent weeks, Rep. Jeffries has stumped for Democrats in toss-up congressional races in states like Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Virginia, Oregon, and Nevada, among others

  • Jeffries has also contributed money to dozens of campaigns this cycle in addition to the DCCC

  • Jeffries is the House Democratic Caucus Chair and is widely seen as someone eager to rise higher in the Democratic leadership, even perhaps succeeding Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she decides to step down

Zimmerman welcomed the visit by Jeffries.

“He’s a voice that gets everyone’s attention. He’s a nationally respected voice and a New York respected voice,” the candidate said.

All told, Jeffries’s team says he has made more than 40 trips this year to support candidates nationwide.

He offered an upbeat assessment of what he has encountered while on the road, saying, “Democratic enthusiasm is actually higher than many of the pundits have predicted.”

Jeffries is widely seen as someone eager to rise higher in the Democratic leadership, even perhaps succeeding Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she decides to step down — a decision that could be hastened by Democrats losing the majority Tuesday.

While his campaign appearances this fall could help him build support among Democrats for such a move, when asked if that is his intention with these trips, Jeffries emphasized they are part of his current role as caucus chair.

“The most important thing that any of us can do is do the job we currently have to the best of our ability,” he said. “It would be irresponsible for me to do anything other than be there for my colleagues and our red-to-blue candidates to the greatest extent possible.”

In addition to the campaign stops, Jeffries is also providing his fellow Democrats with a financial boost this year. His campaign and leadership PAC have distributed funding to dozens of candidates this cycle, both those in tight contests and those not.

Additionally, his team says the congressman has contributed more than $1 million this cycle to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committe, the campaign arm for House Democrats.