Liberals say three-way battle to head Progressive Caucus signifies ‘vitality’

Liberals are hailing a three-way fight to lead the Congressional Progressive Caucus as a sign of the growing influence of the Democratic left on Capitol Hill.

“It’s a sign of the caucus’s growing strength and vitality that this is going on,” said Robert Borosage, co-director of the Campaign for America’s Future, a liberal group that will host a forum Tuesday with two of the three contenders.

{mosads}Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) are both challenging incumbent Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

Woolsey is co-chairwoman with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who is stepping aside and is expected to become chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Woolsey had planned to step down, then reversed course and announced she would run again.

Ellison, the first Muslim to serve in Congress, is the newest contender, returning from his freshman term. Grijalva, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, has been active on the environment and support for immigrants.

The contest comes as most leadership fights have fizzled or been settled by the intervention of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

In the past, the leader of the liberal group was chosen by consensus, or someone would agree to serve.

But this year nine of the 13 candidates the caucus supported won election, and its membership is expected to grow to 80 members. In addition, Democrats will control both ends of the Capitol with sizable majorities, and the White House will be occupied by a Democrat with a liberal voting record.

“The progressive caucus is on the map now,” Woolsey said in an interview. “We just want to make sure our new president and vice president keep in mind who we consider to be the base of our party.”

{mospagebreak}The House is expected to take up issues that bear directly on the liberal agenda, including withdrawal from Iraq, climate change and healthcare.

Some had expected campaigns for the CPC chair from Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.), who has strong union ties, or Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), co-chairwoman of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Equality Caucus. But in the end, neither ran.

{mosads}The race’s dynamics are not clear. Many had expected Grijalva to run for the chairmanship of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, but his spokeswoman confirmed Monday afternoon that he was seeking only the Progressive chairmanship.

Attempts to reach Ellison were unsuccessful.

Woolsey has stressed continuity. “It’s wanting the Progressive Caucus to keep its balance and keep growing.”

Woolsey is also pressing to keep the current “co-chair” structure of the caucus leadership, though some members reportedly want to rethink the idea.

That will be the first vote when the caucus convenes at 4 p.m. Wednesday in a House conference room in the Capitol basement. The group will then vote to fill the single or multiple slots.

The other officer positions are not contested. Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) is running to continue as whip, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is seeking to be vice chairwoman and liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus, and Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) is seeking to be vice chairwoman and liaison to the Women’s Caucus. Liaisons to the Asian and Pacific American Caucus, the Hispanic/Native American Caucus and (LGBT) Equality Caucus are to be filled at the meeting.