Rep. Keith Ellison, seeking to become chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will have to wait a little while longer to learn if he can grab the top spot.
The election for caucus chair was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but the date was pushed back two weeks to Dec. 1, said Adam Sarvana, spokesman for Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Progressive Caucus-co chairman.
Sarvana said the date was moved to ensure all members could attend the election meeting.
Ellison, currently vice chair, is running against Grijalva and Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards. The caucus currently has two co-chairs, but it will also vote whether to keep that system or elect a single chair.
Ellison spokesman Tim Schumann said Ellison is fine with the caucus having either one or two leaders, and he doesn't see the election between the three candidates being divisive.
While Democrats on the whole were decimated in the House on Nov. 2, the Progressive Caucus, considered the liberal wing of the House, saw few members voted out. As a result, Progressive Caucus members will constitute a higher percentage of total House Democrats next year, giving the group a larger voice for shaping Democratic strategies in the lower chamber.
