In remarks to reporters ahead of the election, Mr. Jeffries described the role he was about to assume as a “solemn responsibility.”
“When we get an opportunity as diverse leaders to serve in positions of consequence, the most meaningful thing that we can do in that space is do an incredibly good job,” Mr. Jeffries said.
He played down the divisions among Democrats and expressed confidence in his ability, along with his expected leadership team, to keep the party united in the coming year.
“There’s nothing more unifying than being in the minority and having a cleareyed objective and goal of getting back into the majority so we can continue to deliver big things for everyday Americans,” he said.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, said he has known Mr. Jeffries, a Brooklyn neighbor, for years and expected to speak with him the same amount he now talks with Ms. Pelosi: about four to five times a day.
“It’s a little like Pelosi,” Mr. Schumer said in an interview. “When I first met her, I said, ‘This person is special, she’s going somewhere.’ I felt the same way about Hakeem.”
Mr. Schumer said Mr. Jeffries “always had the leg up” in the race to succeed Ms. Pelosi.
“He’s very good at reaching out to people of many ideologies,” Mr. Schumer said, predicting Mr. Jeffries would be able to reach across party lines.
“There’s going to be a whole bunch of Republicans who are not going to be happy with the MAGA direction of the party, and I couldn’t think of a better person to work with them to try and get some things done,” Mr. Schumer said.
Luke Broadwater and Stephanie Lai contributed reporting.