By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House of Representatives minority leader, arrived in Toledo on Sunday, October 18, to lend his support to the candidacy of his Democratic Party colleague, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Kaptur, the longest serving congresswoman, is in the battle of her career, this election cycle, as she has been gerrymandered by the Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly into a district structured to guarantee defeat in her contest with Republican Derek Merrin. However, that contest is rated a virtual toss up according to polls taken a few weeks before Election Day.
But according to those polls, the Democrats are favored to take overall control of the House, which means that the Brooklyn-based Jeffries would undoubtedly be elected Speaker of the House by his colleagues.
“I have worked with many Speakers of the House,” said Kaptur to the congregation at The Worship Center, recalling her 44 years in Congress. Her favorite, she said, was Tip O’Neil, congressman from Boston, MA.
“We refinanced Social Security and made sure Medicare was secure,” said Kaptur recalling the O’Neill years. “We built houses; we repaved roads. We need someone in leadership in our House who cares about this country and not just about their own power … I am so happy with this man [Jeffries]. This man wants to do something for the people of this country … we must give him that opportunity.”
Jeffries also addressed the congregation, urging them to vote, and to get others out to vote. And to vote for Kaptur, most particularly. He praised Kaptur for “her intellect, her resilience, her commitment, her care.”
Speaking of the necessity to bring change about at the ballot box, “we can either continue to turn back the clock or we can turn the page and move this country forward,” said Jeffries, who is in line to become the first African American Speaker of the House.
“Under the leadership of Marcy Kaptur, we’re going to work hard and lower the cost of living; we are going to work hard and reverse these Medicaid cuts; we are going to work hard to bring back good paying jobs to this city and to this region. We are going to work hard to protect your Social Security and Medicare.”
Jeffries also promised that the next Congress will pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act “to end an era of voter suppression.”
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2025, by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and in the Senate by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in July 2025. The bill would strengthen voting rights and expand the government’s ability to respond to voter discrimination.
The Democrats need to gain at least four seats in these midterm elections to reach a total of 218 and gain the majority. Retaining Kaptur’s seat will be essential to that effort.
