Joaquin Castro could be the next Democratic House campaign chief
After losing at least a dozen seats in the House of Representatives, Democrats are looking for a leader who can help their party make a…
After losing at least a dozen seats in the House of Representatives, Democrats are looking for a leader who can help their party make a comeback in 2016.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) is among the handful of Democrats who are being considered for the role. Politico reported Monday that Castro is being considered as the next chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is the campaign arm of Democrats in the House.
As head of the DCCC, Castro would be tasked with helping Democratic House candidates get elected. That includes recruiting new Democratic candidates and offering them guidance along the campaign trail as well as helping them with fundraising. It also includes efforts to convince strong Democratic incumbents to not retire.
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Castro is viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party as is his twin brother Julian Castro, who is the former San Antonio mayor and is now the Housing and Urban Development secretary. The two gained national attention at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, when Joaquin Castro introduced his brother who gave the keynote speech.
Castro hasnt said whether he is seeking to be the new chair of the DCCC.
Other Democratic House members being considered for the role include Rep. Joe Kennedy of Massachusetts, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Donna Edwards of Maryland, Lois Frankel of Florida and Jared Polis of Colorado.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will be the one who ultimately decides who will be the new head of the DCCC, a role being vacated by Steve Israel (DN.Y.).
According to Politico, whoever Pelosi elects will have one of the hardest jobs in Washington. Thats because theyll be assigned with the difficult task of helping Democrats regain power in the House, which Politico reported wont be easy given that redistricting and demographic changes put Republicans at an advantage over Democrats.
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But being the chair of the DCCC also has its benefits.
Running the DCCC can be a thankless and backbreaking job, but for the right person it can also be a huge opportunity, C.R. Wooters, a Democratic strategist and former House leadership aide, told Politico.
The 2016 cycle has the added dynamic of a presidential campaign, a national convention, and legitimate reason to believe that House Democrats will have the wind at their back, Wooters added. With that as a backdrop, there is a huge opportunity for someone new to win some seats while raising their profile within the caucus and nationally.