Progressive activists are urging Rep. Ayanna Pressley to become the next House speaker, with a Change.org petition drawing more than 119,000 signatures as of Saturday afternoon.
The campaign, launched November 6 by the Coalition for Speaker Ayanna Pressley, asks lawmakers to support the Massachusetts Democrat. But Pressley has not announced a bid and privately told colleagues she does not want the position, Axios reported Friday.
The push comes amid visible frustration with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Protesters interrupted his appearance at a Denver conference Friday, demanding Medicare for All, a Green New Deal and a more confrontational approach toward President Trump. Security escorted them out as other attendees chanted Jeffries’ name.