After securing wins back home, Capitol Hill lawmakers hold their own elections to fill leadership positions in their various caucuses. Sometimes they are contentious, but that wasn't the case for Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge who received unanimous support for her bid to lead the Congressional Black Caucus for the next two years.

"As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we call ourselves the 'Conscience of the Congress' for a reason. We are a collective voice for millions of people around the country who need us to champion their issues and protect their future. We remain concerned about high rates of employment, particularly among African-Americans for whom the jobless rate remains in double digits," Fudge said in a statement. "As chair, I look forward to leading this venerable caucus, and to speak and act on behalf of its members who share a vision and commitment to move our nation forward."

Fudge was the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, when she won a special election in November 2008 after Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died unexpectedly from a ruptured brain aneurysm. The former prosecutor had previously served as the late lawmaker's chief of staff during Tubbs Jones' first term in Congress.

"With the challenges facing our nation, the Congressional Black Caucus must continue pushing to ensure every American has equal opportunity to achieve their version of the American dream," said outgoing CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver. "Rep. Fudge will see to it that the Congressional Black Caucus remains the most vocal when equal opportunity and justice [are] under attack."

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(Photo: Marcia Fudge)