Rep. Charlie Gonzalez wrote to Congressional Hispanic Caucus members Wednesday asking them to support him as head of the group in the next Congress.

“In light of last Tuesday’s election results, I realize these are demanding times for many of our members as well as the broader Democratic Caucus,” the Texas Democrat wrote in a letter obtained by Roll Call. “I welcome the opportunity to discuss in more detail the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and ask for your consideration and support of my candidacy as Chair of the CHC for the 112th Congress.”

Gonzalez, who serves as the group’s first vice chairman, is the only CHC member so far to announce a bid to lead the 24-member bloc next year. Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is expected to step aside. CHC chairs typically serve only one term.

The CHC is slated to meet during next week’s lame-duck session and could elect its new leaders at that time.

Gonzalez spokeswoman Patricia Park said her boss has called “most, if not all,” of the CHC’s members and has “gotten strong support.”

Park said Gonzalez’s priorities as chairman would be to push immigration reform and work with newly elected Members to build support for the rest of the CHC’s legislative agenda.