WASHINGTON -- Members of the Hispanic community in the United States are calling for Rep. Bob Menendez (Dem.-NJ) to be elected to head the House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus as part of an effort to hold on to Hispanic support for the party.

Members of the Hispanic community who want to increase their political representation in the U.S. government want House Minority Leader Rep. Dick Gephardt (Dem.-MO) to back Menendez for the post.

Menendez currently serves as vice chairman of the caucus and will compete for the top spot with Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Dem.-CT).

Gephardt's office has indicated he will remain neutral in choosing the Caucus president, who will be the third-highest ranking member of the Democratic party in the House.

Former congressman and Clinton-administration Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said that the race for the post will be a test to determine if Democrats in the House take the Hispanic community seriously.

Richardson told the legislative weekly Roll Call that the Democratic party is no longer assured the Hispanic vote.

As an example, he cited the recent New York mayoral elections, in which Hispanics backed Republican candidate Michael Bloomberg after Fernando Ferrer, of Puerto Rican origin, was defeated by Mark Green in the Democratic primaries.

Meanwhile, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) head Arturo Vargas said that Democrats are losing ground among Hispanics as Republicans are courting the Latino community with more energy

The possible election of Menendez to lead the Caucus, which would be the first time a Hispanic holds that seat, would be a valuable opportunity for Democrats to show their commitment to the Hispanic community, Vargas said.

Democrats have ignored the needs of Hispanics on such issues as the drawing of electoral districts and several legislative bills.

According to Vargas and other Hispanic leaders, the Republican party has taken advantage of the current situation to offer Hispanics high-ranking positions.

Menendez urged Democratic officials to show solidarity with the Hispanic community, which is the fastest growing minority group in the United States.