Sen. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Interior faces legal scrutiny for keeping controversial acting leaders in office | White House faces suit on order lifting endangered species protections | Lawmakers seek investigation of Park Police after clearing of protesters The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ MORE’s (R-Colo.) chief of staff is poised to become the new executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), a spokesman for the senator confirmed.
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Chris Hansen will be tasked with helping to expand the Senate majority as Republicans play offense with a favorable map in 2018. Republicans currently hold 51 seats and are expected to gain one more in next month’s Louisiana Senate runoff. Roll Call first reported the news.
Gardner was tapped NRSC chairman on Wednesday, replacing Sen. Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerPrivate lawsuits are a necessary expedient in privacy legislation Bottom line GOP faces internal conflicts on fifth coronavirus bill MORE (R-Miss.). In 2014, the Colorado Republican defeated then-Sen. Mark UdallMark Emery UdallThe 10 Senate seats most likely to flip Democratic presidential race comes into sharp focus Democrats will win back the Senate majority in 2020, all thanks to President Trump MORE (D-Colo.) in one of the top races of the cycle.
Hansen managed Gardner’s 2014 Senate campaign and has previously worked on his House campaign. He also helped on Rep. Mike Coffman’s (R-Colo.) 2012 reelection race.
Fresh off a tough cycle where they defended 24 seats and lost only 2 seats, Republicans have a much more favorable map. Democrats are defending 25 seats in 2018 and 10 of those are states carried by President-elect Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE last week. Republicans will be on defense in Nevada following Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE’s victory and Democrats holding onto Sen. Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidHarry Reid says he’s cancer free White House gets jolt from strong jobs report Murkowski, Mattis criticism ratchets up pressure on GOP over Trump MORE’s seat.
Republicans will be hoping to pick up enough seats in 2018 for a filibuster-proof majority, or holding 60 seats in the upper chamber.