Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said he’s backing his colleague Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in his bid to become the next Democratic whip.
The slot will be vacated next year when longtime Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) leaves the legislature to officially retire from politics.
“I know [Schatz] has been talking to and listening to our colleagues for the last couple of days. I think those calls are going well,” Booker told Punchbowl News.
“Brian regularly does excellent work in service of our caucus and from what I am hearing, he has already earned a lot of support for this position,” he continued.
Booker’s office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
Following the announcement of Durbin’s withdrawal on Wednesday, several lawmakers’ names arose during talks about a potential successor. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) may also be vying for the role, according to party insiders.
However, Schatz has emerged as a favorite after volunteering to pick up some of the whip’s duties in helping to manage the floor.
“Schatz has got the money and the youth behind him,” one source previously told The Hill.
Others including Jim Manley, who served as a senior aide to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), have echoed the same sentiment.
“He’s good on the issues. He’s articulate. He thinks well on his feet. He’s good interviews. A good solid, substantive senator,” Manley said of Schatz.
“Anyone thinking about jumping in is going to be in a good position. Sen. Durbin has years of experience, which is going to be tough to replicate, but those that are being talked about should handle themselves quite well,” he added.
