Rep. Hakeem Jeffries brought his trademark Brooklyn rhymes to the Democratic National Convention as he boosted Kamala Harris and vowed to take back the House for Democrats in November.
“Kamala Harris is fighting for our freedom, Kamala Harris is fighting for our families, Kamala Harris is fighting for our future,” Jeffries told the crowd Wednesday night.
The dynamic Democratic House minority leader dissed former President Trump as an unwanted old fling who won’t take no for an answer from the American people.
“Bro, we broke up with you for a reason,” Jeffries said with a smirk. “Donald Trump can spin the block all he wants, but there’s no reason for us to ever get back together. Been there, done that. We’re not going back.”
Jeffries, who represents Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant, brought the cheering crowd to its feet by ticking off a long laundry list of rights and benefits House Democrats would protect alongside a future President Harris.
“Kamala Harris and House Democrats will always put people over politics,” Jeffries said. “Together let’s build a brighter future for our children and our grandchildren.”
He preached to the crowd with a seven-day weekly plan to elect Harris, starting with “strategize on Sunday” and ending with “fight the power on Friday.”
“We must continue to speak up, we must continue to show up, we must continue to stand up,” he said. “When we do, nothing can stop Kamala Harris from becoming the 47th president and nothing can stop House Democrats from taking back the majority.”
Democrats need to flip about five seats to regain control of the House, a win that would make Jeffries the next Speaker.
“Nothing can stop our march towards a more perfect union,” he added.
The Brooklyn lawmaker urged fired-up Democrats to take the energy from the convention back to their home states and cities in the weeks ahead.
“This is an evenly divided country,” he told reporters earlier Wednesday. “It’s going to be a close election and we’ve got to run through the finish line.”
Jeffries was just the latest in a string of New York elected officials to address the DNC.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wowed the crowd with a remarkable speech that brought the audience to its feet. Although Ocasio-Cortez spoke with her trademark passion, analysts noted more mainstream Democratic themes, a sign she may be moving away from her progressive roots perhaps with an eye to a future run for higher office.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer showed off his best dance steps as he took the stage and vowed to pull off an upset and hold onto the Senate for Democrats in November. Gov. Hochul lit into Trump, calling him a disgrace to their home state.
Mayor Adams arrived in Chicago Wednesday but insisted he was not fazed by being passed over for a speaking slot at the DNC.
Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) delivered a strong message on Wednesday in support for women’s rights.
“Generations of women fought for our rights: Our right to vote, our right to financial independence and our right to reproductive freedom,” Meng said. “Now it’s our turn to take the torch for our children and grandchildren.”
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