WASHINGTON -- Rep. Adam Smith, whose redrawn district will see a doubling of Asian-American constituents, has joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Smith, an eighth-term Democrat from Tacoma, is one of 11 new members to the caucus, chaired by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif. Like Smith's new 9th District, the 40-member caucus is made up of a majority of lawmakers who are ethnic minorities.

Smith's district currently includes 65,000 residents of Asian descent. That will rise to more than 150,000 next year under the new boundaries. Asian Americans will make up the second-largest racial group in the new 9th, behind whites. Hispanics, both white and non-white, will be the third largest, with about 110,000 residents.

Ayofemi Kirby, Smith's spokeswoman, said Chu invited Smith to join the caucus because of his past and current work with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

“I look forward to working with my peers on the caucus to continue addressing the unique issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to ensure their voices are heard," Smith's statement said.