Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz (D) has locked down the votes he needs to replace Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) as Senate Democratic whip once Durbin retires from Congress at the end of next year, according to a person familiar with Schatz’s support.
Schatz, the Democratic chief deputy whip, has also earned the endorsement of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to succeed Durbin as whip in 2027.
“I’m grateful for the support from so many of my colleagues. I intend to continue earning their support in the months to come,” the Hawaii Democrat said in a statement.
It would be the biggest change to the Senate Democratic leadership team since Schumer ascended as leader after the 2016 election.
Durbin has served as Democratic whip since 2005, first under the leadership of the late Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), from 2005 to 2017, and then under Schumer from 2017 until today.
Punchbowl News first reported that Schatz had collected enough votes and Schumer’s support.
Schatz, 52, formally launched his bid to become Democratic whip in April, telling The Washington Post at the time: “Not everybody loves the aspect of politics that occurs on the floor. … This is where I think I can be most useful.”
He assumed his Senate office in December of 2012, making him Hawaii’s senior senator by a few days. He previously served as the Aloha State’s lieutenant governor.
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