Dozens of Democratic candidates running for U.S. House seats nationwide have expressed hesitation or refusal to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for party leadership, signaling growing unease within the party as the 2026 elections approach.

Axios surveyed 113 Democrats running in potentially winnable races. Of those, 20 said they would not back Jeffries for speaker or minority leader, five were likely to oppose him, and 57 declined to commit, citing concerns about his ideology, strategy, messaging, or leadership style. Only 24 candidates fully committed to supporting him, with seven more likely to do so.

Jeffries has maintained unanimous caucus support since becoming leader in 2022, but frustrations—especially from the party’s left wing—are mounting. Progressive activists have criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and increasingly Jeffries, too. Jeffries’ office denied any loss of support, emphasizing his focus on fighting Trump, ending government shutdowns, and addressing GOP health care issues.

Skeptical candidates often include political outsiders or challengers to entrenched Democrats, such as Daniel Biss and Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois, and others running well-funded primary campaigns to unseat incumbents. Many called for stronger opposition to the Trump administration and more progressive action.

A common complaint centered on Jeffries’ refusal to endorse socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, which has frustrated the party’s left wing and raised doubts about support for progressive challengers.

Overall, the report highlights an internal struggle within the Democratic Party over leadership direction ahead of a crucial election cycle.