Senate Democrats Rally to Save Seats

By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff
Feb. 7, 2012, Midnight

Nearly everyone in Washington is familiar with EMILY’s List. But what about Al’s list?

Through his large email list of political supporters, Sen. Al Franken has quietly but steadily become one of the most sought-after and prodigious fundraisers among Democratic Senators outside of leadership. The Minnesotan — along with a handful of his rank-and-file colleagues — has been active this cycle in raising money for the almost two dozen Democrats and Democratic-held seats that are being contested on the November ballot.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (Wash.) remain the four heavyweights among caucus fundraisers. But others are stepping up to help the Democrats protect their thin, four-seat majority, including Franken, Finance Chairman Max Baucus (Mont.), Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (Mass.) and Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Kay Hagan (N.C.) and, to a lesser degree, Mark Warner (Va.).

“Everybody is really helping us. Members understand what is at stake,” Murray told Roll Call last week. Washington’s senior Senator also serves as Conference secretary, the fourth-ranking leadership position.

(More here.)