House Democrats have elected Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York as their caucus chairman.
Lawmakers are elevating the 48-year-old member of the Congressional Black Caucus as a new generation of leaders pushes to the forefront.
The race was tight, with the vote 123-113 over Rep. Barbara Lee of California, another influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus .
Lee made her pitch during House Democrats’ closed session on the leadership. She drew on the record number of women, including minority women, who ran for office and are entering the new Congress.
