WASHINGTON — Rep. Tim Walz will head Democrats' 2014 effort to re-elect House incumbents who hold seats seen as politically challenging to the party.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel named Walz the head of the organization's Frontline Program on Thursday. The DCCC describes the program as:
A partnership between the DCCC and Members which lays the groundwork for the [election] cycle by supporting and expanding their fundraising and outreach operations. Frontline Members must sign a memorandum of understanding that requires Members to meet aggressive fundraising goals, accelerate volunteer and recruitment efforts, and increase their online networking.
In a press release, Israel said Frontline alumnus Walz is well-suited to lead the effort because "he knows firsthand how to win in a tough district."
Walz represents the rural 1st District, which traditionally leans Republican. Even so, he won re-election this year by nearly 15 points (in 2010, a Republican wave year, he won by 5.3 percent, but his campaign went into debt to do so).
Moving Walz to a leadership position would indicate the DCCC's faith in his ability to hold the seat going forward.
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com