Jeffries is the new leader of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives.

Democrats, who lost their majority in the US House of Representatives to Republicans in the new term that began Jan. 3, chose their new leaders.

The only candidate, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, became the new leader after Nancy Pelosi announced she would not seek re-election to the leadership she held for 20 years.

Jeffries became the first black man in the history of the United States Congress to be elected to the position of leader of any party in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

WHO IS HAKEEM JEFFRIES?

Born on August 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York, Jeffries has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2013.

Jeffries, long known as “Pelosi’s heir apparent,” has served on the House Budget and Justice Committees.

Pelosi announced on November 17 that she would not seek the Democratic leadership again after the majority of the House shifted to the Republicans. (AA)