Hispanic Caucus endorses Castro for Foreign Affairs gavel

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is endorsing Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) to be the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, writing a letter of support to colleagues ahead of elections set to begin next week.

Castro, who chairs the CHC, is facing off against the second- and third-ranking members of the Foreign Affairs committee, Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.).

In the letter to colleagues and sent Wednesday, the first and second vice chairs of the caucus highlighted Castro’s commitment to the committee, his range of experience in the House and the importance of positioning a Mexican American in a position of leadership as the U.S. reckons with race relations, inequality and immigration.

“Out of all the distinguished and accomplished candidates, Representative Castro is uniquely qualified and committed to the important work of this committee and is best positioned to advance the needs, views, and interests of the American people in our nation’s foreign policy,” Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif) wrote in the letter. 

“In addition to his considerable experience, Representative Castro is also the natural pick to ensure the Latino community’s priorities are advanced through the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” they wrote. “He has made clear he will prioritize migration, climate change, and Latin America as areas of attention for the committee.”

At least six members of the CHC are part of the House Steering and Policy Committee, which will vote next week on chair selection. While Meeks is favored to win the contest, Castro is expected to come in a close second, and would be in a position to request a caucuswide vote, where he has support among the younger and more progressive wing of the party.