New York State Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, 52, was unanimously elected Wednesday to lead the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives and will take office on January 3, 2023. He became the first African-American in history to hold such a high office in the U.S. Congress, the Voice of America reports.

Hakeem Jeffries will succeed 82-year-old Nancy Pelosi, who has led Democrats in Congress since 2007, as speaker of the current House of Representatives.

Republicans will have a slight edge in the next House, so Jeffries will lead the Democratic minority.

Jeffries' choice means a generational shift for Democrats in the House. He became chairman of the Democratic Caucus in 2019, making him the youngest congressman to hold the position.

He is known for his political barbs against Republicans in Congress, especially those who support former President Donald Trump. Jeffries played a major role during Trump's first impeachment process in the House of Representatives.

Jeffries also said he hoped to find common ground when possible with Republicans, but would confront their extremism when necessary.

Hakeem Jeffries was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, and quickly found himself in a leadership position. The progressive wing of Democrats in the House of Representatives views Jeffries with a degree of skepticism, since he is considered a centrist.