BALTIMORE _ The new head recruiter for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has four open seats he needs candidates for. But in an illustration of the challenges Democrats face in clawing their way back to the majority, all four vacancies are heavily Republican seats.
At a panel here during the minority party's issues retreat Thursday, Rep. Denny Heck of Washington said he would remain realistic, but optimistic, about the potential for Democrats to fill the positions long held by the opposing party. The four seats are those held by Republicans chosen to serve in the administration of President Donald Trump.
"The starting point is that we have to all acknowledge that those seats are all held by Republicans and they've been held by Republicans for quite some time," Heck said.
Rep. Mike Pompeo created the first vacancy in the House after the election when he was tapped _ and ultimately confirmed _ as CIA director.
Trump also picked Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Service. His district in Georgia is reliably Republican.
Montana's at-large congressional seat, held by Interior Secretary-nominee Ryan Zinke tends to go Republican, even as other statewide positions like senator and governor have seen Democratic success.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney's seat in South Carolina also leans Republican, although Mulvaney was a late Democratic target last year. If confirmed, Mulvaney would serve as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
On the ground, Heck said there were Democratic candidates who could be considered but he stopped short of saying these seats were winnable for Democrats.
"We're going to be very realistic about these four congressional districts while nonetheless talking and reaching out with people that indicated interest and seeing if in fact they demonstrate the key principles or characteristics of viability," Heck said.
