Rep. Joaquin Castro climbs higher in Democratic leadership

*Castro said “I’m ready to be helping in rounding up Democrats.” This is like watching a political chess game between Democrats and Republicans. The funny thing is that they seem to be moving pieces on diffeent grids. Strategically, this is big for Dems. VL

By Lauren French, Politico

Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro is taking a chief deputy whip job in Democratic leadership, a coveted post for a relative newcomer to Congress.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will announce the promotion Thursday. It gives Castro an influential voice at the Democrats’ leadership table and marks another step up for the well-liked Latino Democrat from deeply red Texas.

A sophomore, Castro has been on the Democrats’ whip team since he was first elected in 2013. Hoyer has made a concerted effort in the past two years to expand his leadership team to include members in their first, second and third terms.

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