WASHINGTON _ The chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus has indicated that there are divisions over who members support in the contested election for minority leader between veteran California Democrat Nancy Pelosi and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a North Carolina Democrat, emerged from a private three-hour meeting in the Capitol Tuesday night refusing to talk about what the group discussed on the eve of Democratic leadership elections. But earlier in the evening, he acknowledged the divisions.
Butterfield has not indicated publicly who he supports in the race. The same goes for the two members who are running to replace him, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond and New York Rep. Yvette D. Clarke.
"I'm not authorized to make a statement at all," Butterfield said in response to a question about whether he supported Pelosi's bid for re-election to her leadership post. "I'll get in trouble if I make (a) statement."
Earlier in the evening, Butterfield said he would keep his opinions to himself but did not refute the suggestion that the caucus is divided on the leadership race and matters related to it.
"There's always division in every caucus," he said.
The CBC is one of the largest caucuses in the House, comprised of at least 43 House Democratic members, so it's pull could help sway election outcomes in Congress.
Many of its members have long congressional tenures and several serve as ranking members on a variety of committees.
Pelosi had the support of four-fifths of the Democratic caucus as of Tuesday night, including some CBC members. Ryan has the public endorsements of at least 12 House Democrats.
