Bennet turned down Reid’s offer in 2010, having just completed a tough race and with Democrats facing an uphill battle to retain the majority in 2012.
{mosads}The freshman senator would be taking over a position held by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who oversaw unexpected gains for Democrats this year when the party added two seats.
Democrats again will have a challenge holding onto the Senate going into the 2014 elections, as six of their party members will be running in red states and six will compete in swing states.
But Bennet’s experience running in a swing state, as well as his ability to relate well to colleagues, could be an asset to the committee, sources say, as Democrats plan to place a large emphasis on recruitment, which boosted their efforts this past Election Day.
Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) have also been floated as options for the position, but a spokeswoman for Gillibrand said the senator isn’t interested.