In a sign of the ever increasing clout of African Americans within the Democratic party, presidential hopefuls including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and (not yet announced) Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and former Vice President Joe Biden are vying for the support of the Congressional Black Caucus.
According to a Wednesday Politico report, Harris and Booker showed up to Wednesday’s weekly meeting to work their contacts. Biden has reportedly been reaching out to his longtime allies in the caucus.
Though many members of the group have been courted by multiple candidates, some are holding back to see if lawmakers from their home states mount bids. In such a crowded primary field, the support of members of the caucus—and by extension, coalitions of black voters in their states—could prove indispensable to the candidates.