Washington – New York Rep. Tapped to Head Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Washington – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tapped New York Rep. Steve Israel Friday to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for the 2012 election cycle, Politico reported.

Israel, one of Pelosi’s most loyal lieutenants and an impressive fundraiser, will need to be formally approved for the position by the House Democratic Caucus.

The Long Island congressman faces big challenges as his party heads into a presidential election after losing more than 60 House seats in the midterm election Nov. 2. Almost two dozen Senate seats will also be up for grabs in 2012, meaning Israel’s congressional campaign committee will be competing with the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for cash as well, according to Politico.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Friday the DCCC spent $82 million in 107 races during the 2010 election cycle. Citing an internal memo distributed by outgoing DCCC chief Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the paper pointed out the money was not enough to prevent the Democrats from losing their majority in the House, though according to Van Hollen it did manage to save 15 to 20 Democratic seats.

The Maryland congressman also made the point that Republicans would be defending 61 seats President Barack Obama won in 2008 in the 2012 election, the Journal said.