Washington – As the time nears for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to decide who the next leader of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will be, Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, is facing increased competition for the job.
Himes’s spokesman said Monday the Connecticut lawmaker is open to heading the DCCC.
“Jim has run and won tough races, and if he has an opportunity to continue helping fellow Democrats change Washington, of course he would consider it,” said Himes Communications Director Greg Vadala.
But it may not be that easy.
As DCCC finance chairman, Himes was considered a front-runner for the job to head the DCCC since the organization’s current chairman, Rep. Steve Israel of New York, says he won’t serve a third term.
Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland, and Rep. Lois Frankel of Florida are also interested in the job
On Monday, Politico added the names of two other Democrats to the mix. Quoting “senior Democratic aides,” Politico said Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas and Joe Kennedy of Massachusetts “have emerged as strong possibilities to take on the role of chairman of the DCCC.”
Politico said the selection of either Castro or Kennedy “would be designed to give House Democrats, who lack an obvious path back to power, a badly needed infusion of energy and excitement, not to mention fundraising prowess.”
The GOP’s majority in the House grew in the midterm elections.
Nevertheless, House Democrats are expected to re-elect Pelosi as their speaker next week. Pelosi would then make her choice to head the DCCC .