Rep.-elect Don Leonard of Ohio accused senior House Democrats Tuesday of threatening political retaliation if he does not support House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York for speaker, alleging party officials warned they could make his life "a living hell" and work to remove him in 2028.

Leonard, who is preparing to enter Congress in January, said Democratic leaders demanded his support without first addressing his concerns about campaign finance reform and American policy toward Israel. He described the pressure as an effort to enforce party loyalty even when incoming lawmakers have unresolved policy disagreements.

"It's part of the stuff you see in the movies," Leonard said in a social media post. "It's a whole other thing when it's in person, by people who actually care about you and are cheering for you but expect you to wear the team jersey and be a good team player."

Leonard also said a letter from Jeffries failed to answer several questions raised by his constituents. In an interview with Joy Reid, he reiterated that he would withhold his support unless Jeffries commits to enforcing the Leahy law against Israeli security forces over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza and supports action to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.

The Leahy law prohibits U.S. assistance to foreign security force units when credible information indicates they have committed gross human rights violations. Leonard's position would place restrictions on military assistance to Israel among the conditions for his support.

The 2010 Citizens United ruling struck down restrictions on independent political spending by corporations and labor unions. Leonard wants Congress to consider a constitutional amendment reversing the decision.

Leonard defeated Republican Rep. Mike Carey in Ohio's 15th Congressional District in last week's midterm elections. President Donald Trump carried the district by 10 percentage points in 2024, making the Democratic victory a notable shift in a district that had previously favored Republicans.

The dispute comes as Democrats prepare to take control of the House in January and Jeffries seeks to become speaker. Progressive lawmakers have pressed party leadership to adopt tougher conditions on weapons transfers to Israel, although other Democrats have continued to support Jeffries despite disagreements over the issue.

A Jeffries spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Drop Site News regarding Leonard's allegations. At a Monday news conference, Jeffries said he planned to speak with every member of the Democratic caucus before the leadership election, emphasizing his record and his plans for the next two years.

Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership elections November 18-19. The full House is expected to elect its speaker when the new Congress convenes January 3, 2027.

A speaker must receive a majority of votes cast for a named candidate. If all 435 House members vote for candidates, that requires 218 votes. Democrats are projected to hold more than 250 seats, giving Jeffries room to lose some support while still potentially securing the position.

Jeffries announced his bid for speaker on November 4, outlining affordability, accountability, and American values as priorities. If elected, he would become the first Black Speaker of the House.