Brooklyn Candidate Profile: Hakeem Jeffries

BROOKLYN, NY — Hakeem Jeffries, 54, a Democrat and the incumbent candidate, is running for Congress in District 8, which includes Bed Stuy, Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island, in Brooklyn's general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Jeffries, from Clinton Hill, currently holds the role for District 8 and was also elected to be the House Democratic Caucus leader. Before taking office in 2013, he was a New York State assemblymember in Brooklyn from 2007-2012.

Patch recently asked Jeffries four questions about his campaign and district. See his replies below.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article contains information about one of several candidates who have announced their campaigns for Brooklyn offices in the 2024 general election. Patch has contacted the other candidates with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

PATCH: What are your qualifications to run for office?

JEFFRIES: For six terms, I have represented New York’s Eighth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, where I have worked hard to reform our criminal justice system, improve the economy for everyday Americans and protect health care from right-wing attacks. Back in Brooklyn, some of my proudest accomplishments include fighting to save the Interfaith Medical Center as it faced bankruptcy, working to create Shirley Chisholm State Park in East New York and securing funds to rebuild Canarsie Pier and Coney Island Hospital following Superstorm Sandy.

PATCH: What are the key issues in your district that you'd tackle in office? How would you tackle them?

JEFFRIES: House Democrats will continue to strive to make life better for hardworking taxpayers. In partnership with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, we rescued our economy from a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, lowered the cost of prescription drugs for millions of Americans, including capping the cost of insulin to $35 per month, created good-paying union jobs, worked to fix our crumbling infrastructure, expanded broadband access, honored our veterans, made America more competitive with foreign adversaries and passed the first major gun safety legislation in three decades. Our work is not complete. In the 119th Congress, we will continue to make life more affordable for hardworking taxpayers by holding corporations who engage in price gouging accountable, increase funding for Section 8, build more affordable housing units, expand access to homeownership opportunities and keep our neighborhoods safe by passing comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation and strengthening the relationship between the police and those they protect

PATCH: What sets you apart from the other candidate?

JEFFRIES: House Democrats have made clear we will work with Republicans on any issue to make life better for everyday New Yorkers and Americans, and push back against extremism whenever and wherever necessary. Thanks to the work of House Democrats this Congress, we prevented a devastating government shutdown, defended our nation from a catastrophic default and delivered critical foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to our democratic allies overseas. When House Democrats take back the majority from extreme MAGA Republicans this November, we will continue our tremendous progress delivering for the people, including lowering the cost of housing and child care, protecting reproductive freedom and making our communities safer.

PATCH: What is one thing that always makes you smile about your district?

JEFFRIES: The Eighth Congressional District is a vibrant and diverse community that reflects the gorgeous mosaic of America. I am proud to represent constituents from every race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and life experience, including more Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union than any other Member of Congress.