House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) is trying to discourage Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) from running for the Senate seat opened up this week by the retirement of Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.).
Van Hollen had long been considered a possible successor to Pelosi and others in House Democratic leadership.
“I think he’s such an extraordinary talent,” Pelosi told The New York Times, while noting that the Democratic Conference may want a “generational change” at the top.
Van Hollen announced this week he would run for the Senate in 2016, potentially depriving House Democrats of a rising star who is close to leaders in the party.
In 2008, Pelosi named him assistant to the Speaker after he agreed to drop out of the race for caucus chair. He ran the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2008 and 2010 cycles and was recently tapped to lead the group’s fundraising efforts.
He also is a major Democratic voice in Congress as Budget Committee ranking member.
Van Hollen is one of the first to enter the race for the seat, but the Democratic field is expected to be crowded. Progressive groups are urging Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) to get into the race and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is also reportedly considering a run.
Maryland election law does not allow candidates to run for the House and Senate simultaneously.
— Updated at 2:28 p.m.