Republican and Democratic senators are hoping younger members will start moving into key leadership roles next year, including in the No. 3 slots as conference chairs.
The race for Republican conference chair is already looking younger after two Generation X senators entered the race for the coveted position. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) have both announced plans to seek the job.
Ernst, who is the fourth-ranked Republican in the Senate, is only 53, while Cotton, who is well known in the party, is 46. The race is expected to be close.
“There’s so many things that go on policy-wise that are relevant to a new generation,” Ernst told Politico. “I’m that bridge between the up-and-coming leadership era and the newer class, as well as a tie to those who have leadership experience.”
The race comes as a Senate shuffle takes place due to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) decision to step down from his leadership post at the end of the year. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD) are competing to become the party’s next leader, while Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) is the sole candidate for Republican whip. Barrasso is currently the conference chairman.
On the Democratic side, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who is 63, and Cory Booker (D-NJ), 54, are considered top contenders after Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) retires. But neither have announced plans to pursue the position.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), 50, has also been floated as a possible contender after he took on the challenging role of working with Senate Republicans on a border deal, but he has also not decided whether he will seek conference chair.
Each party is expected to undergo a secret ballot after the general election in November, where a simple majority will determine the winner. Senate leadership elections are not usually competitive, and McConnell has led the Republican conference since 2007, making this year’s election even rarer.
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“It provides an opportunity to go back and maybe create that healthy competition among friends,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) are expected to stay in their respective roles next year.