Petition against Jeffries passes 700,000 signatures as Ruffalo urges support

Mahjar Post - New York

Actor Mark Ruffalo urged his followers to sign an online petition calling on Democrats to reject Hakeem Jeffries as speaker of the US House of Representatives and choose another candidate before the new House votes for its speaker in January 2027.

Ruffalo wrote on X on November 5: "Sign this petition if you want a new speaker of the house." His post showed 2.2 million views, while the petition page displayed 717,394 verified signatures when checked on November 5, Washington, D.C., time.

Content creator Nicole Whitted launched the Change.org petition on September 3. It says the speaker should represent Democratic voters, not just the party establishment, and urges lawmakers to examine Jeffries's record, policy positions and campaign donors, while opening the field to other candidates. Whitted told Newsweek that her objections included his ties to corporate interests and pro-Israel lobbying organizations.

The petition page carries a "paid partnership" label and explains that Whitted receives compensation in connection with the petition as a Change Ambassador.

Jeffries, the current House Democratic leader, formally announced his candidacy for speaker Wednesday, November 4, in a letter to colleagues published by his office.

Sources: Mark Ruffalo's X post, November 5, 2026; Change.org petition; Newsweek, November 5, 2026; Office of Hakeem Jeffries, November 4, 2026.
https://x.com/MarkRuffalo/status/2118174249903161722
https://www.change.org/p/house-democrats-choose-a-new-speaker
https://www.newsweek.com/petition-to-replace-jeffries-hits-500k-as-ruffalo-wades-in-12668658
https://jeffries.house.gov/2026/11/04/dear-colleague-announcing-candidacy-for-speaker-of-the-house/