With the Congressional Black Caucus considered the most effective Black political organization, many supporters are paying attention to the efforts of several members to succeed current chairman Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina

Jet, June 19, 2006 by Simeon Booker

With the Congressional Black Caucus considered the most effective Black political organization, many supporters are paying attention to the efforts of several members to succeed current chairman Rep. Mel Watt of North Carolina. As both political parties seek to attract minority voters for this fall's election, and a presidential election two years hence, the Caucus chair will be a key figure in setting up the parties' race relations framework.

Odds favor a woman and a Southerner for the Caucus Chair post. High on the list of favorites are Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Michigan Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick and South Carolina's Rep. James E. Clyburn.