Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are already rallying behind Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) as a possible replacement for Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the Foreign Affairs chairman who appears to have lost his primary race this week.
Meeks is the third-ranking Democrat on the panel, behind Engel and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)
, suggesting Sherman would have an advantage within a Democratic Caucus that has long considered seniority to be a major — if not the primary — factor in deciding committee heads.
Prominent members of the group are already indicating they’re ready to discard the seniority formula if a subsequent race ensues between Sherman and Meeks to head Foreign Affairs next year.
Engel rose to become top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel over the more senior Sherman, who had ruffled feathers in the caucus by defeating Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.)
