WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, was elected by her colleagues Thursday to serve as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the 116th Congress, which will be sworn in Jan. 3.

She is the second woman ever to lead the committee.

“I’m humbled to have earned the support of my colleagues to serve as chair of the Democratic Congressional Committee,” Bustos said in a news release. “Under the tremendous leadership of our new Assistant Democratic Leader, Ben Ray Lujan, the entire Democratic Caucus worked together to flip 40 (congressional) seats from red to blue.”

Bustos has held leadership positions with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee over the last four years.

In the 2018 election cycle, Bustos served as chair of Heartland Engagement where she mentored several congressional candidates across 12 states. She also co-chaired the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, where she worked to develop the House Democrats “For the People” agenda.

“Over the next two years, our charge is to build on this progress to fortify our new Democratic Majority so we can deliver bold change for the American people,” Bustos said.

Bustos was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing Illinois’ 17th district.

Ken DeCoster: 815-987-1391; kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen