Rep. Ben Ray Luján, a New Mexico Democrat first elected in 2008, is House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s pick to head up House Democrats’ campaign arm for the 2016 election cycle.
Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, announced her pick Monday, one day before Democrats are scheduled to vote behind closed doors on leadership positions for the caucus and re-elect Mrs. Pelosi as the House Democratic leader.
In announcing her “recommendation” to the Democratic caucus, Mrs. Pelosi called Mr. Luján “a dynamic and forward-looking leader” who can lead Democrats to gains in the future.
Mr. Luján is set to replace outgoing the DCCC chairman, Rep. Steve Israel of New York, though Mr. Israel will get a new post in Democratic leadership as chairman of policy and communications after overseeing a tough 2014 election cycle that saw Republicans pick up about a dozen seats and push their already-solid majority in the House near historic highs.
Mr. Israel took over for Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Democrat, after the 2010 midterms in which Republicans romped to historic gains en route to re-taking control of the chamber from Democrats.
Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Luján, a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, was chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Other rumored candidates for the post included Reps. Joaquin Castro of Texas, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Jared Polis of Colorado and Donna Edwards of Maryland.
Ms. Edwards was selected to co-chair the party’s steering and policy committee along with Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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