WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Troy A. Carter Sr. is running to become the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, saying he wants to strengthen the caucus and build broader coalitions in Congress, NOLA.com reported. 

Carter, a Democrat representing Louisiana's Second Congressional District, is currently serving his third term and holds the position of First Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. He is seeking to succeed Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, who is stepping down from the leadership role.

"I'm absolutely going to run and (I’m) hopeful that I will have the support of my colleagues to lead this very powerful and significant caucus," Carter said.

"The CBC is more than a caucus. It is a powerful voice for millions of African Americans and for all people who have too often been overlooked, underserved or denied equal opportunity," Carter said. "Should my colleagues entrust me with this responsibility, I will lead with humility, courage and an unwavering commitment to liberty, justice, equality and opportunity for all."

Carter said his focus would be on coalition building and bipartisan engagement.

"I've worked very hard to be a bridge builder within the caucus and outside the caucus. And I think now more than ever, it's what we need in Washington," Carter said. "People that are able to work within the caucus, but also recognize that the caucus makes up one part of the Congress. Our responsibility is to use that force to build with other forces to advance good, sound policy."

The caucus will elect its next chair following the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with the new leader taking office in January.

Beyond his CBC role, Carter serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Homeland Security Committee, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and as a Deputy Democratic Whip.

Carter also addressed concerns about redistricting affecting the caucus's size.

"We've lost my colleague and friend, Congressman Cleo Fields," Carter said. "That repeats itself in Texas and Alabama, perhaps and other places, so we will lose some. But in other places, we'll pick up, certainly offset some of the losses. So, this notion that the Congressional Black Caucus will be weakened is not true. We've demonstrated that even with small numbers, we have good voices."

On managing ideological differences within the caucus, Carter said new voices would not be pushed aside.

"New members coming in who have very bold ideas are not going to be silenced. We're not going to just throw them to the side because they have bold ideas," Carter said. "Part of leadership is harnessing those ideas, harnessing that energy and morphing it into a position that we can all work on to advance what's best for the American people. The role that I intend to play as leader of the caucus is to not allow outside voices to try to pit one against the other."

Carter brings more than three decades of elected public service to the race. His career began as Executive Assistant to former New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy before he made history in 1991 as the first African American elected to represent Louisiana House District 102.

He later became the first African American elected to represent New Orleans City Council District C and went on to serve in the Louisiana Senate, where he became Senate Minority Leader. Carter has been in Congress since 2021.

Founded in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus has shaped national policy on civil rights, voting rights, healthcare, education, economic opportunity and criminal justice. Past members include President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. John Lewis.