1994 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election

1994 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election United States presidential no 1992 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election 1992 1996 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election 1996 December 2, 1994 Tom Daschle portrait (1).jpg 160x160px Tom Daschle 0044c9 File:Chris Dodd.jpg 160x160px Chris Dodd 0044c9 Leader George J. Mitchell Tom Daschle Members' 24 23 South Dakota Connecticut 51.06% 48.94% Seal of the United States Senate.svg The 1994 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election was held on December 2, 1994, to elect the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Incumbent George J. Mitchell retired from the Senate. Frontrunner for the position Senator Jim Sasser of Tennessee unexpectedly lost re-election, leading to a battle between senator from South Dakota Tom Daschle and senator from Connecticut Chris Dodd. Daschle won by a single vote. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who little more than three months later would switch to the Republican Party, cast the deciding vote.https://www.courant.com/1994/12/03/dodd-denied-leader-post-by-one-vote/ DODD DENIED LEADER POST BY ONE VOTE Hartford Courant December 3, 1994 September 18, 2026 As of 2026, this is the last time a Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election was contested. Candidates The following candidates declared their intent to run. CandidateStateOther Senate roles125pxTom DaschleSouth Dakota(Served since 1987)None125pxChris DoddConnecticut(Served since 1981)None Withdrawn CandidateStateOther Senate roles125pxJim SasserTennessee(Served since 1977)Chair of the Senate Budget Committee(Since 1989) Endorsements Tom Daschle 45em Senators Daniel Akaka, Senator from Hawaii (1990–2018)https://www.courant.com/1994/11/30/dodd-denies-race-for-senate-post-over/ DODD DENIES RACE FOR SENATE POST OVER Hartford Courant November 30, 1994 September 19, 2026 Jeff Bingaman, Senator from New Mexico (1983–2013)https://www.courant.com/1994/12/04/dodds-near-miss-comes-after-slow-steady-climb-2/ DODD’S NEAR MISS COMES AFTER SLOW, STEADY CLIMB Hartford Courant December 4, 1994 September 19, 2026 Carol Mosley Braun, Senator from Illinois (1993–1999) Howell Heflin, Senator from Alabama (1979–1997)Dewar Helen November 30, 1994 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/11/30/daschle-claims-a-lock-on-minority-post/e0ac65e7-6228-4273-a320-1310cac421c2/ DASCHLE CLAIMS A LOCK ON MINORITY POST The Washington Post September 18, 2026 Bob Kerrey, Senator from Nebraska (1989–2001) John Kerry, Senator from Massachusetts (1985–2013) Frank Lautenberg, Senator from New Jersey (1982–2001) Carl Levin, Senator from Michigan (1979–2015) Barbara Mikulski, Senator from Maryland (1987–2017) Chris Dodd 45em Senators Dale Bumpers, Senator from Arkansas (1975–1999) Robert Byrd, Senator from West Virginia (1959–2010)Elbridge David June 19, 2014 https://rollcall.com/2014/06/19/a-look-back-at-congress-most-memorable-leadership-battles-2/ A Look Back at Congress’ Most Memorable Leadership Battles Roll Call September 19, 2026 Wendell Ford, Senator from Kentucky (1974–1999) Daniel Inouye, Senator from Hawaii (1963–2012) J. Bennett Johnston, Senator from Louisiana (1972–1997) Patty Murray, Senator from Washington (1993–present) Sam Nunn, Senator from Georgia (1972–1997) Jim Sasser (withdrawn) 45em Senators Barbara Boxer, Senator from California (1993–2017) Robert Byrd, Senator from West Virginia (1959–2010) (Later shifted endorsement to Dodd) Chris Dodd, Senator from Connecticut (1981–2011) Howell Heflin, Senator from Alabama (1979–1997) (Later shifted endorsement to Daschle) Wendell Ford, Senator from Kentucky (1974–1999) (Later shifted endorsement to Dodd) Frank Lautenberg, Senator from New Jersey (1982–2001) (Later shifted endorsement to Daschle) Results CandidateVotesPercentTom Daschle2424 47Chris Dodd2323 47Total:47100%Source: References * Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election Senate Category:103rd United States Congress Category:104th United States Congress