Dec 3, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney elected chair of House Democrats' campaign arm

Oriana González

Picture of Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney — Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) on Thursday was elected chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2022 cycle, narrowly defeating Rep. Tony Cardenás (D-Calif.) 119 to 107, Politico reports.

Why it matters: Maloney will be tasked with protecting House Democrats' slim majority in 2022 after they underperformed in November's election, losing seats in down-ballot races across the country.

The 2022 election will take place after redistricting, which could hand Republicans enough of an advantage to take back the majority.
Maloney will also be responsible for keeping an emboldened left-wing flank happy, after progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) explicitly called out the DCCC for its campaign failures in 2020.
Some of the party's moderates, meanwhile, have called for a ban on progressive slogans like "defund the police" that they believe cost vulnerable members their seats.

Go deeper: Maloney vows to end ban against political consultants who worked for primary challengers

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Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney elected chair of House Democrats' campaign arm

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