House Dems urged to put black lawmaker in top spot

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus served notice Thursday that the influential group wants a black lawmaker to hold at least one of the House’s two top Democratic jobs next year if Nancy Pelosi or other party leaders don’t retain their posts in the new Congress.

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-LA., who chairs the caucus, wrote to colleagues that, despite the party’s “celebration of diversity,” a black lawmaker has never held one of the two top jobs. “It’s time we walk our talk,” he added in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

The effort is an example of behindthe-scenes jockeying already under way to fill the party’s top jobs in the Congress that convenes in January.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-calif., wants to reclaim the speaker job she held when Democrats last controlled the chamber from 2007 through 2010.

She has strong support among liberal and female Democratic lawmakers and is believed to have a solid shot at winning the job, for which she will need at least 218 votes, a House majority.

Yet it is unclear if she will be able to do so. Many Democrats say it is time for fresh faces to replace Pelosi and other party leaders, who are all in their late 70s, and say GOP efforts to demonize her as an out-of-touch liberal have made her a liability for the party.

It is widely believed that if Republicans retained their hold on the House, frustrated Democrats would replace Pelosi, No. 2 leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and No. 3 leader Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.

The caucus’ letter does not name who it wants to see move into the two top jobs.

A spokesman for Pelosi declined to comment on the letter. Aides to Clyburn and the black caucus did not immediately return phone calls and emails seeking comment.