By Jonathan Allen and Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

California Democrat Loretta Sanchez is breaking with her fellow Hispanic House members again — this time by endorsing Judy Chu , who is Asian American, in the race to succeed Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis in California’s 32nd District.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has rallied behind state Sen. Gil Cedillo, the most prominent Latino candidate in the May 19 special election race.

But Chu, a member of the state Board of Equalization, has picked up support from some significant local Latino officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Now, she has added Sanchez to her team.

Not only is Sanchez’s endorsement a break from Hispanic lawmakers but it’s a break from her sister, fellow California congresswoman Linda T. S?!nchez , who has donated money to Cedillo. Updated fundraising totals for the 32nd District race are due to be filed Thursday.

“The congresswoman and Judy Chu have been longtime friends, and she has endorsed her in all of her races,” said Adrienne Elrod, chief of staff for Loretta Sanchez .

The sisters had a public split with the CHC in 2007 charging that Chairman Joe Baca , a California Democrat, had demeaned women, abused the group’s political action committee and held improper elections. Linda Sanchez re-established her membership with the caucus at the beginning of the current Congress, but her sister did not rejoin.

The May 19 primary will be the race’s deciding factor since the Democrat who emerges from the contest will be heavily favored to win the Los Angeles-area seat.

The preferences and turnout of the district’s ethnic communities are widely regarded as major deciding factors in the race. According to the 2000 census, 62 percent of district residents are Hispanic, 18 percent are Asian, and 15 percent are white.

A total of 12 candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot. Candidates of all parties will appear on the same ballot and if no candidate receives a majority May 19 (an expected outcome, due to the number of candidates competing) the top vote-getter from each party will face off in a July 14 election.