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Updated 3/27/15 1:26 PM EDT
Sen. Dick Durbin is telling senators privately he will not challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for the top spot in the Democratic caucus, sources said Friday.
Durbin’s private comments likely clear the way for Schumer to replace Minority Leader Harry Reid, who surprised the political world when he announced Friday he would not run for reelection next year. Reid promptly said he would endorse Schumer, No. 3 Senate Democrat, which he relayed in a private call to Durbin Friday morning. Durbin, who is the No. 2 Democrat, did not object, sources said.
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One source also said that Durbin told Schumer he would not run against him in a leadership election.
Durbin’s and Schumer’s offices declined to comment.
The scramble confirmed what’s been known in the Capitol for years: Schumer has emerged as the clear frontrunner to succeed Reid, even though Durbin is the second-ranking Democrat. After two cycles running the Democratic campaign committee and after he’s taken the reins as the messaging guru, Schumer is viewed by many of his colleagues as being one of his parties savviest political tacticians.
Yet, Schumer and Durbin— who were Capitol Hill roommates for years — rarely discussed the touchy matter. And if Schumer wins the leadership job, it’s hardly certain Durbin will remain as his No. 2.
The issue won’t be finalized until after the November 2016 elections. Reid said he would remain as leader until his term expires in January 2017.
One-by-one over the last 24 hours, Reid began to inform his top lieutenants that he would retire. He first told Schumer Thursday, giving him a green light to begin the campaign succeed him.
“I’ve never been a shrinking violet,” Reid told the Las Vegas radio station KNPR on Friday. I think it’s very important that we have continuity in our leadership.”
“I feel very comfortable about this continuity of leadership with Schumer. He will be elected to replace me in 22 months.”
Where this leaves Durbin remains to be seen. It’s uncertain whether he would run as whip in the next Congress. Moreover, Sen. Patty Murray — the No. 4 Democrat — has gained increased prominence and goodwill within the caucus, making her a potential threat to Durbin.
Democratic insiders believe that there is a possibility that Schumer and Murray may run for the top two spots, a move that could effectively force Durbin out of the running. The Democratic leaders, however, are likely to try to avoid a messy confrontation and could presumably cut a deal to avoid the first contested leadership in years.
The issue remains very sensitive within Democratic quarters — so much so that the three leaders did not discuss the matter with each other despite learning about the matter over the last day. Schumer was the first of the three to be told by Reid, a source said.
The White House is keeping its distance from the leadership shuffle. Press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that President Barack Obama “does not intend to endorse either man,” referring to Durbin and Schumer.
Liberal groups began pushing Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to run for Democratic leader as soon as news of Reid’s retirement broke on Friday morning. But Warren, who was recently appointed to Democrats’ leadership team as a policy adviser, won’t seek the post, her office said.
Warren’s office would not say if she will back Schumer. She is a leading critic in Congress of Wall Street, one of Schumer’s home state’s top industries.
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