Hakeem Jeffries

It took less than 24 hours for the jubilance over the “blue wave” to subside before it dissipated. Celebrations and congratulations quickly shifted and devolved into conversations about the potential speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, and the potential Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer.

While initially there was excitement about the possibility of Jeffries being the first African American speaker of the House, that enthusiastic energy was short-lived, and the conversations were not in support of Jeffries and Schumer.

Voters across the country are raising their voices and reminding the Democratic Party leadership that “we the people” delivered a victory and expect different leadership. Voters have expressed a range of emotions from disappointment to outrage.

There are four concerns at the core of their disapproval:

As a result of these and other concerns, there is an online petition on Change.org entitled “House Democrats: Choose a New Speaker.” It urges House Democrats to vote against Jeffries as speaker of the House. To date, the petition has received more than 921,000 signatures. Additionally, Jeffries’ office number has gone viral, and voters are calling his office expressing disapproval of his leadership, alliances and potential ascent to the position of speaker. Another petition on Change.org is entitled “Replace Chuck Schumer,” and it has received 75,400 verified signatures.

Actor Mark Ruffalo is an outspoken opponent of Jeffries and Schumer and is promoting the petitions on many platforms. Last year, Ruffalo said that Jeffries and Schumer were “the absolute antithesis of what the Democratic Party needs right now.”

“We the people” went to the polls and delivered a message to the Democratic Party that we want change. It will take 218 votes cast by members-elect for a speaker of the House to be elected. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Jeffries and Schumer listen to the people? Will the voices of the people become larger and louder?

While all of this turmoil goes on, we have to find a way to unite Americans so that everyone feels seen and included. Yes, the priorities are affordability and accountability, but we must also work for healing and unity.