House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called for party unity ahead of the 2026 midterm elections during an appearance Sunday on Meet the Press, following a closely watched Democratic primary in Texas.
Speaking with Kristen Welker, Jeffries praised both candidates in the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas after State Representative James Talarico defeated U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in the primary.
Jeffries said Crockett ran a strong campaign and would continue to play an important role in Democratic efforts to challenge President Donald Trump and his administration.
“Jasmine Crockett ran a great race,” Jeffries stated, “and she’s going to continue to be a powerful voice as we move forward to hold this administration accountable and to push back against the extremism that they’re unleashing on the American people.”
Welker asked Jeffries what message he had for Black voters who supported Crockett and may now feel less enthusiastic about backing Talarico in the general election. Jeffries pointed to Crockett’s own call for unity following the primary and said Democrats must come together to support the party’s nominee.
Jeffries Highlights The Affordability Crisis Ahead Of Midterms
According to Jeffries, the party’s focus will remain on issues such as lowering the cost of living, reforming the healthcare system, and confronting rampant corruption within the Trump administration.
The conversation also turned briefly to the political standing of Kamala Harris, who had endorsed Crockett in the Texas primary. Welker cited criticism from a former Biden–Harris staffer who suggested Crockett’s defeat highlighted Harris’s decline in political influence.
“Her rapidly declining polling numbers are a lagging indicator,” the staffer said about the former Vice President. “Her lack of political relevancy is a leading one.”
Jeffries promptly rejected the suggestion before pivoting back to the upcoming midterm elections.
“I don’t think so,” Jeffries said, before emphasizing that Democrats are focused on the upcoming midterm elections and their effort to regain control of the House of Representatives.
Jeffries stated that the party’s message in the midterms will center on addressing the affordability challenges facing many Americans, particularly those struggling with rising everyday expenses.
“We’re going to do everything that we can to make sure we take back control of the House of Representatives,” he stated, “to focus on the issues that matter in terms of dealing with the affordability crisis, to make life more affordable for everyday Americans who are struggling.”
“That should not be the case in the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world,” he concluded.
