Senate Democrats Panic as Trump Taps Two of Their Own

Senate Democrats are struggling to keep two of their own party members from defecting to Donald Trump, who’s been considering them for high-ranking posts in his Republican administration.

Republicans already control the Senate, but the loss of two Democrats would bolster that majority.

From Fox News:

“They recently launched a ‘full court press’ to retain Sens. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, and Heidi Heitkamp, of North Dakota, after each met with Republican President-elect Donald Trump, one senior Senate Democrat told Fox News.”

Manchin has reportedly said he’d like to stay in the Senate. But Heitkamp, a first-term senator, hails from a conservative state and faces reelection in 2018. Her name is still in the running for the Agriculture Secretary spot.

Again, from Fox:

“A Trump transition team source told Fox News the president-elect ‘really wants her’ for the job.

“Either departure would poses short- and long-term challenges for Senate Democrats.

“If Heitkamp left, her seat could remain empty for months, meaning Democrats would have one less vote to stop any of Trump’s first-100-day initiatives, which could including getting a Supreme Court nominee confirmed in the Senate or passing a tax overhaul.

“The North Dakota legislature last year changed its laws so that a Senate seat remains vacant, without a place-holder senator, until it is filled in a special-election vote held within 95 days of a resignation.

“In the longer-term, Senate Republicans would have a solid chance of winning Heitkamp’s seat in a special election and adding to their 52-48 member majority.”

In West Virginia, the rules are different and allow the governor, who’s currently a Democrat, to appoint a replacement for up to 120 days, when a special election would be required.

Manchin, who was considered by Trump for Energy secretary – a nomination that just went to former governor Rick Perry from Texas – is a moderate Democrat who’s been outspoken against his own party in the past.