California Sen. Adam Schiff is calling up Democratic colleagues to express interest in serving in party leadership next Congress, according to a person close to Schiff.
He wants to help improve Democrats’ messaging operation and is not looking at challenging top leader Chuck Schumer or Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who is expected to be the next whip. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, currently the No. 3 leader, won her gubernatorial race, opening up a leadership spot.
Schiff served as a DSCC vice chair this cycle and helped raise $8.5 million for Senate candidates.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., who helped recruit and back moderate candidates, is also exploring potential options, according to two sources. So is progressive stalwart Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Both Warren and Cortez Masto currently serve on Schumer’s leadership team. Schumer may yet face a challenge from Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.
— Burgess Everett
