Todd Young launches bid for Senate Republican campaign chief

Indiana Sen. Todd Young (R) has reportedly launched a bid to chair the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP’s campaign arm.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Young says that he is “excited” for the opportunity to help Republicans cement their Senate majority, and said that his bid is supported by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to be of service to my colleagues,” Young told the AP. “The committee did a lot to help my campaign back in 2016, and I think I can do a lot to make sure we defend and strengthen the Republican majority.”

{mosads}Young does not currently face any announced opponents for the position, but Republicans were privately talking as early as February about the job potentially going to incoming Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).

The next Senate election cycle will see Republicans defending more than 20 incumbent senators, a reverse from the favorable map the GOP faced in 2018.

“I certainly acknowledge that the map has changed considerably when we look to the next cycle,” Young added in the interview. “We are likely defending 22 incumbents.”

Young was already reportedly in talks earlier this year to helm the NRSC, as Republicans view the Indiana senator as a strong campaigner following his defeat of Evan Bayh in 2016.

Bayh initially led Young in polls by as much as 20 points. His defeat allowed the GOP to hold on to a slim majority in the Senate as President Trump took office.

Requests for comment from The Hill to Young and McConnell’s offices were not immediately answered.