| | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | Presented by National Retail Federation | With help from Jordain Carney in Omaha, Nebraska
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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accompanied by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer D-Md., left, and House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., speaks to reporters at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) | AP | Tuesday isn't the end of election intrigue on Capitol Hill, where the mid-November races for leadership in the new Congress could result in the biggest shakeup since 1994's Republican Revolution. If Republicans take control of the House, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) is the likely speaker. But House Democrats could see a major changing of the guard, with a reshuffling of leadership that has been dominated for two decades by octogenarians Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Burgess, Sarah and Olivia have made understanding these leadership dynamics their life's work and are out this morning with five storylines to watch that won't be decided on Election Day . Three are campaign storylines:
- DCCC doesn't want more stumbles: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), the embattled chief of the House Democratic caucus' campaign arm, is in a tough race and could be ousted on Tuesday. But if he wins, Maloney hasn't said if he'll make another bid for the top campaign job. Maloney's own race became a point of contention this year, diverting attention (and resources) from the DCCC's broader goals. So far just two Democrats, both Californians, have expressed interest in leading DCCC: Rep. Tony Cárdenas and Ami Bera. Neither has formally declared their run.
- Senate Dems' campaign challenge: There haven't been major announcements yet, but Burgess reports buzz about Sen. Alex Padilla (Calif.) potentially taking the reins of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Sen. Gary Peters' (D-Mich.) term isn't up until 2026 and there's precedent for chairing the campaign committee for four straight years (Senate leaders Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and McConnell (R-Ky.) have both done it.) The 2024 map for Senate Democrats is looking brutal, so it's a tough job for whoever wants it.
- Money could make or break: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) are angling to take the lead for the House GOP campaign arm, where the 2024 cycle could force them on the defensive. There are regional ties at play, with Hudson repping the South and LaHood bringing the backing of his fellow Midwestern members. But Olivia reports that whoever is seen as a better fundraiser and as a bigger asset on the trail this cycle could decide.
Meanwhile the battle for leadership suites on Capitol Hill are also on: House Democratic shakeup: Many Democrats are expecting a major turnover in leadership if the House flips to Republican control, opening up conversations about the future of the top Democratic ranks that have been all but off-limits for years. Pelosi has previously signaled this would be her last term but she hasn't mentioned that promise in a while and her key lieutenants, Hoyer and Clyburn, have said even less. If Pelosi makes her exit, there's already a race underway for the top Democratic spot. Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) and House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) are each already gathering allies and strategizing for a bid. Others are lining up to either ascend the leadership ranks or join the group. The biggest question at hand: how many leadership vacancies we'll see open up after Election Day.
- Whip count: One of the wildest rides in the post-election period could be the race for GOP whip, where National Republican Congressional Committee chief Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Chief Deputy Whip Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) are already in a full blown campaign for the gig. Some expect the race to go to a second ballot.
| | | | A message from National Retail Federation: The INFORM Consumers Act is a bipartisan solution to stop organized retail crime. It's supported by retailers, law enforcement organizations and consumer advocates alike. It's time for Congress to pass the INFORM Consumers Act — this year — and help keep our communities safe. Learn more here. | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, November 7, where the blood-red total eclipse expected on Election Day is a little on the nose.
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Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and his son Daniel Cotton head to a vote on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) | AP | COTTON BOWS OUT — Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) won't be making a bid for the White House in 2024 despite many months of signals pointing to a run, Alex Isenstadt reports . He's been letting senior GOP colleagues, donors and supporters know his decision in recent days. Cotton has pointed to the time a national campaign would take him away from his family, including his two sons who are five and seven years old. (They sometimes join him on the Hill and are incredibly cute, as shown above.) SENDING HOME THE BACON? — Among the dozens of battleground districts where Democrats are pinning their hopes is a Biden-won district in deep-red Nebraska. They want to send Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) home from Congress, for good. In the Second District, anchored by Omaha, state Sen. Tony Vargas is mounting a strong challenge to Bacon, who is known as one of the House GOP's few remaining deal-makers in a party dominated by Trump acolytes less keen on compromise. Outside spending has poured into the race but hasn't been matched by media spotlight. POLITICO ranks the seat as a toss-up heading towards Tuesday. In addition to dealmaking (he was one of just 13 House Republicans to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill), Bacon tries to thread a needle on former President Donald Trump by embracing some of his policies but not cozying up to the man himself. "Our district leans right. But they also like consensus builders, they want people to govern. They want some decency," Bacon told Jordain in Nebraska over the weekend. More on a hot race to watch, from Jordain in Omaha: What headwinds? Dems still trying to cook Don Bacon in Nebraska Only in Huddle: Biden-Bacon? Bacon said that he thinks he'll get "some" Biden voters during Tuesday's election but that he believed many of the Bacon-Biden 2020 votes were "more anti-Trump voters than pro-Biden voters" and that he knew "many voters that voted straight Republican except for the top in 2020." Infrastructure: Bacon says he is still getting some criticism from Republicans over his support for the infrastructure bill, noting that his party "conflated the two, Build Back Better and that bill … which hurts people like me." Take the cannoli? Trump criticized Bacon earlier this year including calling him a "wise guy." Bacon's reaction? "I like Godfather movies, so I thought maybe it was a compliment."
| | | | A message from National Retail Federation:   | | | SPEAKING OF INFRASTRUCTURE — "Polls show most voters have no idea Congress even passed the legislation — let alone that it's already set to provide tens of billions of dollars to projects such as rail tunnels under the Hudson River, Everglades restoration work in Florida or a bridge replacement in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill have been quick to offer praise and claim credit when their local projects get a share of the cash," write Tanya Snyder, Jordan Wolman, Annie Snider, John Hendel and Eleanor Mueller. Dive into this deep follow-the-money analysis of the infrastructure package , and why Democrats are struggling to reap the rewards. SCALISE AS SECOND-IN-COMMAND — "Steve Scalise spent years in the role of Kevin McCarthy's qualified understudy, perceived as ready to step in if he stumbled. All that has changed as Republicans draw closer to retaking the House" writes Olivia, who hit the road with Scalise (R-La.). "It's been more than four years since the gregarious 57-year-old openly discussed his interest in becoming speaker, propelling speculation of a McCarthy rivalry that didn't stop when he made clear he had no designs to challenge the Californian for the role. Lately, though, Scalise strikes all the right notes as he stays in lockstep with his No. 1." FLEET(ING) TESTIMONY — Jamie Fleet, a top aide to Pelosi, will be the highest-ranking Capitol Hill staffer to testify in the more than two dozen trials related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Fleet will take the witness stand this week in the trial of Riley Williams, 23, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., who is charged with entering Pelosi's office, and stealing a laptop. More from Kyle on the case and the top aide's testimony .
| | | | NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID . | | | | | | | | Pour one out… Jordain sends in this snapshot from Nebraska of the creatively named drink list from a Tony Vargas campaign event at a local pub that she attended while on the road. Jordain can't offer reviews of much besides the bar's fries, but those she rated highly. Your Huddle host has questions about "dizzy donkey" being a winning message. QUICK LINKS In Final Push for Votes, Both Parties Court Black Men , from Clyde McGrady and Maya King at The New York Times Chuck Schumer's final call , by Jonathan Blitzer at The New Yorker Indigenous Voters, Gaining Influence, Look to Mobilize , from The New York Times' Emily Cochrane and Mark Walker in Anchorage TRANSITIONS Corey Jacobson is joining the Pentagon as special assistant to assistant secretary of Defense for space policy John Plumb. He previously was legislative director for Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and is a Henry Waxman alum.
| | | | A message from National Retail Federation: According to NRF's National Retail Security Survey, retailers reported an average 26.5% increase in organized retail crime last year alone. Retailers, consumer advocates and law enforcement organizations agree: Congress should pass the INFORM Consumers Act this year. This bipartisan bill will make it tougher for criminals to sell stolen goods online, while ensuring honest small businesses can use ecommerce to reach customers. Learn more here. | | |
TODAY IN CONGRESS
The House convenes at 11:30 a.m. for a pro forma session. The Senate convenes at 10:30 a.m. for a pro forma session. AROUND THE HILL Election Day Eve
| | | FRIDAY'S WINNER: Sarah Jenkins correctly answered that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), with 47 years in Congress, is the longest serving member up for reelection this year. TODAY'S QUESTION: Who was the first woman elected mayor in the country and where did she serve? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to ktm@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Katherine on Twitter @ktullymcmanus
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