House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY) was in the Twin Cities over the weekend, and he had this message for members of the Black community in the metro area.
"My message to the men of our community is that we hear you, we see you and we're committed to making a difference for you in your life," Jeffries told WCCO's Henry Lake during an interview that will air on News Talk 830 WCCO Monday night. "And we understand that more needs to be done, particularly as it relates to economic opportunity and economic empowerment."
Jeffries says there are some obvious challenges for Blacks in the Twin Cities.
"It's one of the reasons why I'm so excited about the agenda that Kamala Harris has laid out, which will focus on entrepreneurship, focus on home ownership, focus on access to capital so that folks can start small businesses and bring their ideas to fruition in our community, and focus generally on work on wages and on wealth creation," Jeffries said.
Jeffries was in Minnesota to campaign for Democrat Angie Craig in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, where she's being challenged by Republican Joe Teirab.
"Well, it's one of the closest battleground districts in the country," Jeffries explained. Angie Craig has had tough elections, in the '18 cycle where she helped us take back the majority and then she won tough races in 2020, 2022. She's a common sense leader, compassionate leader, a courageous leader and a caring leader. She fights hard for the people that she's privileged to represent here in Minnesota, but she also fights hard for values that we all care about."
Teirab, speaking last week to WCCO Political Analyst Blois Olson, says the people he's speaking with in the district are ready for change.
"Families, business owners, middle class folks, definitely know that we need a change, we want a change. There is a status quo with how things are going. The status quo has brought us a ton of inflation and high prices. Life is just unaffordable. That's why I'm running to bring a little common sense. Bring in a little bipartisanship. You know, we can find solutions to these problems. Let's get our economy back on track."
Jeffries would be in line to become Speaker of the House if the Democrats erase a narrow edge held by Republicans, making the race in Minnesota's 2nd that much more important to both parties.
Jefferies called Minnesota Governor and candidate for Vice President, Tim Walz, an authentic person who will be a great vice president, while warning that conservative initiative Project 2025 would criminalize abortion care while damaging public education.
"I had the opportunity to serve with Governor Walz when he was a member of the House of Representatives for six years, and he's just a down to earth, common sense, incredibly authentic leader. He's done a tremendous job as the governor of the great State of Minnesota and I think he's an amazing partner for a President, Kamala Harris, and someone who we'll be able to work closely with given his experience in the People's House."