ABOUT:
Defense policy analysis, commentary and discussion.
The Senate majority is up for grabs this cycle, but whoever takes the reins of the Senate campaign committees next year will likely have to contend with a small margin of power in the chamber.
Next cycle will be particularly tough for Senate Democrats, who had a hard enough time finding a chairman this cycle.
The chairmen are chosen differently in each caucus: The Democratic leader appoints the DSCC chairman, while the NRSC chairman is elected by the GOP Conference.
Traditionally, Senators up for re-election cannot take the chairmanship. So Senate Democrats can stop dreaming about tapping Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) because he’s up in 2014.
He was the original consensus choice to take over the DSCC this cycle before Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.) was in the mix. But after winning a full term by just 2 points, Bennet declined to take the post.
His qualifications are obvious. He knows how to win a competitive race in a bad environment, he’s a good fundraiser and he’s well-liked within the caucus. His former top political aide, Guy Cecil, already serves as the DSCC’s executive director, which would make for an easy transition.
So now that he’s had some time to breathe since 2010, would he reconsider for 2014? Democrats can dream, but insiders say Bennet likes policy more than politics and won’t take this job.
She is on track to win two Senate races in consecutive cycles after her 2009 appointment took her from the House to the Senate.
While neither of her recent contests have proved to be tough electoral challenges, Gillibrand developed an incredible national fundraising network in the process. She would bring those connections, as well as her rainmaking skills in New York City, to the DSCC gig.
Gillibrand has shown ambition ever since she was elected to Congress in 2006 . This job would be a
steppingstone for her into Senate leadership, but it could also help her continue to build a national political network if she wanted to run for even higher office some day.
The Minnesota lawmaker is on track to easily win a second term, boasting some of the highest approval ratings of any Senator up for re-election. She has thwarted any potential challengers in a competitive state — a teachable skill for next cycle when Democrats will be playing defense.
Want Roll Call on your doorstep?
SIGN UPAlready a subscriber?
Sign up to have the print PDF emailed to you.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
