Coleman, Cornyn both want to run the NRSC

An intense race is developing between Republican Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and Norm Coleman (Minn.) over who will become the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

Several Republican senators told The Hill that Cornyn and Coleman have asked for their votes in recent days.

{mosads}Most said they would not commit to either candidate until they know the results of next month’s election. Both incumbents are seeking leadership posts weeks ahead of difficult reelection bids against viable challengers.

“They both talked to me and they both asked me to commit,” said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), who said he would wait to make a decision.

This past week was the last chance for leadership hopefuls to solicit their colleagues face to face.

Senators are expected to adjourn at the end of this week and return to Washington on Nov. 17 for a lame-duck session. Votes on leadership posts would happen then.

Senate Republicans are expected to lose seats next month — some say as many as five, some say more.

The next cycle looks more promising for the party. While Senate Republicans will have to defend 19 seats in 2010 — four more than Democrats — most of those races take place in states that President Bush carried in 2004. Only incumbent Sens. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, both battle-hardened Republican veterans, have contests in Democratic-leaning states.

The next chairman of the NRSC may also benefit if Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) defeats Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for the presidency. Historically, the party that loses the White House returns to have a strong showing in the next midterm cycle.

And as a bonus, the NRSC chief would have a chance to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who is up for reelection and has seen low approval ratings in some polls.

Coleman’s vigorous behind-the-scenes maneuvering has raised eyebrows because he is in the midst of a close reelection race against Democratic challenger Al Franken.

A spokesman for Coleman said the senator is concentrating on his reelection campaign.

“Although many of the senator’s colleagues have approached him about a leadership position, he is solely focused on addressing the needs of Minnesotans, and reaching out to Minnesotans and asking for their support to represent them again for another term in the United States Senate,” said LeRoy Coleman.

Cornyn is also facing a competitive reelection bid against Democratic challenger Rick Noriega, a state legislator and Iraq war veteran, but that race is not as tight as Coleman’s.

Furthermore, Cornyn has bolstered his bid against Coleman by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to the NRSC. He gave $250,000 of his campaign funds to the committee in late July. He claims to have raised $2 million this cycle and $5 million during his first term in the Senate.

Coleman has given $30,000 to the committee from his leadership political action committee (PAC). Officials have not asked him to give from his personal campaign account because of his tough race.

Coleman still has supporters from his unsuccessful run for NRSC chairman four years ago. He lost narrowly to Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), who won in part because of the influence of her husband, former Senate Majority Leader and GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole (R-Kan.).

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), who spoke to both Cornyn and Coleman in “the last few days,” said he supported Coleman’s bid against Dole and remained committed to him.

The duel between Cornyn and Coleman is shaping up as the only Senate leadership race.

While House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) may lose his job, several GOP senators and aides predicted that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) and GOP conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) would keep their posts even if Republicans drop to 45 seats or lower.

{mospagebreak}But there’s a real chance that McConnell could lose his reelection, which he has called the toughest of his career. If that happens, races would break out for spots up and down the Senate GOP leadership ladder, a chaotic scenario that Republicans declined to discuss.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” said a senior GOP aide.

In contrast to the top three positions in the Republican leadership, which appear solidly in place, Senate Republicans expect significant change in the lower-ranking posts.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) has informed colleagues that she will leave her position as Republican Policy Committee chairwoman. She is expected to run for Texas governor in 2010.

{mosads}Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who ingratiated himself with colleagues by chairing the NRSC this cycle when no one wanted the job, appears to have locked up the race to succeed Hutchison. Cornyn had eyed the job, but Republicans say he has focused his efforts on the campaign committee in recent days.

“I don’t think anybody else is running,” said Ensign. “So far everyone I’ve talked to has either given me their commitment or has said that ‘I’m strongly leaning to you but I want to wait for a little bit.’ ”

Ensign said that few colleagues have declined to endorse him outright when he’s asked for their support.

“Almost everyone is committed already,” said Ensign.

Several Republican senators interviewed said they did not know of anyone other than Ensign interested in the post.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who rose to national prominence by defeating former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.), said he is interested in running to replace Cornyn as vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

“I have indicated that — depending on what happens after the election — that I will take a look at it,” said Thune. “I’ve talked to some folks about it. There are a lot of conversations going on.”

Thune has given $30,000 from his leadership PAC to the NRSC.

Republican senators said they did not know of any colleagues who might challenge Thune.

GOP aides speculate that Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who has caught his colleagues’ attention by playing an active role in the conference this Congress, may challenge for a leadership slot. Senators interviewed said they were not aware of Corker’s interest.

Several rising stars in the GOP conference said they were not inclined to seek leadership positions.
Martinez, Richard Burr (N.C.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) said they had no interest in running for posts in the 111th Congress.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said he is content to remain chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, a coalition of conservative senators.

“I’m committed to changing the Republican Party,” said DeMint. “I think the best way I can do that is as Steering chairman and continuing to promote good free enterprise principles.”