Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), assistant to the Speaker and a past chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is jumping into the race for vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus, an aide confirmed. Becerra’s name has been mentioned as a possible contender for other leadership offices, including the Caucus chairmanship being vacated by Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who has accepted the job as chief of staff in the Obama White House. Becerra’s decision means he is giving up a guaranteed spot at the leadership table to chance a run at elected office. But as a close ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), he enters the race as a strong contender. His decision could complicate the thinking of others contemplating a run for the job, including Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), and Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.).