Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is making it clear that she would like to take over as the leader of the Senate Democratic campaign arm next cycle, with the 2024 election less than 50 days away.
“I know holding the Senate is a top priority for Sen. Schumer and for Democrats, and so I’ve offered my time and efforts to do that next cycle if they are needed,” Gillibrand said Wednesday in an interview with Spectrum News.
Sen. Gillibrand tells me she’s “offered” to take on the @DSCC leadership job, confirming reporting from Axios/@stephen_neukam.
She cites her work on the ‘coordinated campaign’ in NY this cycle. “I’d love to export some of that strategy and effectiveness around the country.” pic.twitter.com/rA8paslxpP
— Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) September 18, 2024
The New York senator is known to be a strong fundraiser and has been helping raise money for Democratic House candidates in her state, which could be critical in the race for control of the lower chamber.
“The reason I have offered to do it is because I’ve felt so engaged doing the coordinated campaign in New York, by helping the governor and [House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)] raise resources and then implementing a strategy to do grassroots organizing in these five battleground House districts,” she added. “I feel very engaged and very purposeful in the work we are doing in New York, and I’d like to export some of that strategy and effectiveness around the country.”
Gillibrand is expected to campaign on behalf of vulnerable Democratic incumbents this cycle, including Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
If she takes over the campaign arm, she would succeed Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), who has been the chairman of the committee for the last two cycles. Peters will be up for reelection in 2026.
“Two cycles is enough,” Peters told reporters Tuesday. “I’m actually running next cycle. That would be unprecedented to be DS chair … that probably wouldn’t even work.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Peters reluctantly agreed to lead the committee this cycle after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) struggled to find a replacement in his caucus. The Michigan senator led the committee in the 2022 midterm elections, which led to a pickup of one seat and a 51-49 majority, despite President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings and voter concerns about high inflation.
Unlike this cycle when Democrats face a tough map, the party has some pickup opportunities in 2026 with Republican seats up in North Carolina and Maine.