Washington DC - Incoming Ohio Congressman Don Leonard welcomed a flood of donations after he claimed that senior Democrats promised to make his life "a living hell" if he did not back Hakeem Jeffries as the next House speaker.
Earlier this week, Leonard, who flipped Ohio's 15th Congressional District amid the midterms "blue wave," shared a video in which he said he was threatened by senior party members over his reluctance to support Jeffries.
He claimed the Democrats told him "in no uncertain terms" that he needed to back Jeffries, or his life on Capitol Hill would be a "living hell" – and they'd make sure he would not win re-election down the line.
Leonard said that he still wanted Jeffries to address his concerns, including US funding for the war in Iran and military aid to Israel, before he could pledge support.
After the video went viral, Democratic political advisor Saikat Chakrabarti launched a campaign for donations to Leonard and Representative-elect Angela Gonzales-Torres, who similarly refused to back Jeffries.
"Let's make sure that Angela and Don can beat anything the establishment throws their way," he said in one X post.
By Wednesday evening, Chakrabarti announced that more than $75,000 had already been raised, declaring, "People inside are noticing."
After the Democrats' sweeping wins in the midterms, many party members have called for new leadership in both chambers of Congress, arguing fresh blood is needed to deliver on the voters' mandate.
Along with Leonard and Gonzales-Torres, incoming progressives like Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez have also called for new leadership in the House.
Meanwhile in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, who boasts similar establishment support to become the next Senate Majority Leader, is facing new pressure after Senator Bernie Sanders announced he would not back Schumer.