Rep. Veronica Escobar Veronica EscobarHispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Races heat up for House leadership posts Ahead of a coronavirus vaccine, Mexico's drug pricing to have far-reaching impacts on Americans MORE (D-Texas) was elected Wednesday to join the House Democrats’ leadership team as the liaison to the freshman class.

Escobar was elected by the nearly 60-member freshman class by secret ballot to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Katie Hill Katherine (Katie) Lauren HillObama counsels NBA players on forming a social justice committee Republicans cast Trump as best choice for women House GOP campaign chairman insists party will win back majority MORE (D-Calif.). The Texas Democrat defeated Reps. Susie Lee Suzanne (Susie) Kelley LeeMORE (Nev.), Mikie Sherrill Rebecca (Mikie) Michelle SherrillHillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll House passes legislation to boost election security research Lawmakers call for bipartisan push to support scientific research MORE (N.J.) and Lauren Underwood Lauren UnderwoodHillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Underwood takes over as chair of House cybersecurity panel Obama announces first wave of 2020 endorsements MORE (Ill.) for the job.

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“I feel very privileged to be able to have a seat at the leadership table to bring those voices of the diverse and dynamic caucus forward and to continue to tell the story of the work that the Democrats are doing because we will not abandon the American people,” Escobar said at a Democratic leadership press conference after her election as freshman class representative.

Escobar, who represents a border district in Texas, has emerged as a top voice in the House on immigration, leading tours for dozens of members of Congress to a detention facility in her district, as well as gun control, particularly after a mass shooting in her hometown of El Paso.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Veronica Escobar as the new Freshman Co-Representative to Leadership and look forward to serving alongside her in House Leadership throughout the duration of the 116th Congress,” Rep. Joe Neguse Joseph (Joe) NeguseRaces heat up for House leadership posts Trump backs bill to establish suffragist monument in DC Democrats introduce bill to ban chlorpyrifos, other pesticides to protect farmworkers MORE (D-Colo.), the co-freshman class representative, said in a statement.

“Representative Escobar has worked passionately and diligently over this past year to shine a light on dangerous conditions at our southern border. Her voice is incredibly important to the conversations we are having today about how best to lead our country forward. I look forward to working alongside her as we continue to work for the people.”

Escobar will now join weekly leadership meetings and help liaise between the party’s leaders and its large freshman class. She also has a perch on the powerful House Judiciary Committee, which is playing a key role in the House’s impeachment investigation into President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE.

Cristina Marcos contributed to this report