Senate Democrats are scheduled to meet Tuesday to finalize their leadership team for the next Congress, with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar poised to become the party’s No. 3 leader in the chamber.
Fresh off losing their majority in the November elections, Senate Democrats are set to retain their top two leaders, Charles E. Schumer of New York and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois. Schumer has led the Democratic caucus since 2017, while Durbin, who is up for reelection in 2026, is the party’s longtime whip.
Klobuchar, who was first elected in 2006, is set to succeed retiring Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow as the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber. Stabenow is retiring after nearly three decades in Congress.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who is currently in his second full term, is expected to move into the No. 4 leadership spot.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin III, another member of Schumer’s current leadership team, is also leaving office next year.
Meanwhile, with Senate Democrats no longer in the majority next year, Washington Sen. Patty Murray is vacating her role as president pro tempore. The position has traditionally been held by the majority party’s most senior member, which in the next Congress would be Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the chamber’s longest-serving member.
Senate Republicans held their leadership elections last month, with senators picking South Dakota’s John Thune as the next majority leader. He will take over from longtime party leader Mitch McConnell.
House Republicans and Democrats also decided on their leadership teams in November, with both parties voting to keep their top leaders largely in place for the next Congress.
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