Hispanic Caucus endorses Thomas Perez for attorney general

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is throwing its support behind Labor Secretary Thomas Perez to be selected as the next U.S. attorney general.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Hispanic Caucus endorsed Perez for the position being vacated by Eric Holder. If nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate, Perez would be the second Latino in U.S. history to serve as attorney general.

“Secretary Perez has a proven record of championing and defending the rights of all Americans,” CHC Chairman Rubén Hinojosa said in a statement. “The CHC supported Tom Perez in his nomination to the Department of Labor, and the Caucus will continue to support him if he is formally nominated for the position of U.S. Attorney General.”

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Perez, who’s a son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, made history last year when he was confirmed as secretary labor and became the first Cabinet member of Dominican descent. He previously served as assistant attorney general for civil rights.

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), who serves as CHC’s first vice chair and leads the group’s diversity task force, said Perez has “demonstrated a deep commitment to justice and civil rights” throughout his career. He added that Perez has “stood up for working families and advocated for the rights of all Americans – especially the most vulnerable.”

“Secretary Perez’s significant record of accomplishment throughout his career and during his time as Assistant Attorney General reflects the values he would bring to the Department of Justice and instills the utmost confidence in his ability to serve as Attorney General,” Lujan stated.

Perez is reportedly among the short list of potential candidates to replace Holder. Others on the list include Solicitor General Don Verrilli and Loretta Lynch, the head federal prosecutor in Brooklyn who would become the first black woman to lead the Department of Justice.

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 national Latino groups, has also thrown its support behind Perez. The group recently sent a letter to Obama, urging him to nominate Perez as attorney general.

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