Washington — The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the political organization in charge of raising campaign cash and planning strategy to get Democrats elected to the U.S. House, has named Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, as its lead fundraiser.
Himes will succeed Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., as the DCCC Finance Committee chairman, said Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., the DCCC chairman.
Schwartz has decided to run for governor of Pennsylvania.
“The DCCC is in our best financial position in years, and Jim Himes is the right person to build on our terrific operation so that we can wage a strong battle to roll back the Tea Party Republican House,” Israel said.
Himes represents one of the wealthiest districts in the nation, a prime source of campaign funds for both parties.
Himes, who has held a more junior fundraising role for the party, said his goal is returning the House to a Democratic majority.
“As the Republican majority once again holds jobs, recovery and the middle class hostage to extreme ideology, it is more important than ever that we fill the House with representatives who will eat, sleep and breathe opportunity for their fellow Americans,” Himes said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to devote myself to that effort.”