Patty Murray points to primaries, cash as reasons for Democratic optimism

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), her party’s campaign chief, says she believes the skies have brightened for Senate Democrats and her party is “well-positioned” to hold on to the majority in the Senate.

In an interview with reporters Tuesday, Murray said her view of Democrats’ prospects had reversed since she took the helm at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee last year, shortly after Democrats were trounced in the midterm election.

“It’s night and day,” Murray said, claiming “the math has changed dramatically.”

Still, the challenge for Democrats remains daunting. Thanks to six retirements, Democrats will be defending 23 seats next year, whereas Republicans have 10 to seats protect. The task gets even trickier if Sen. Ben Nelson decides not to run for reelection in Nebraska, leaving an open seat in a state far from friendly to Democrats.

Nelson has not announced a decision.

“He’s going to be deciding here in the next few weeks,” Murray said. “He’s got a tremendous amount of encouragement from our caucus.”

Murray said she had been buoyed by Democrats’ strong fundraising and recruitment efforts, as well as Republicans’ continued wrestling with tea party conservatives in primaries.

She pointed to several GOP primaries as hopeful signs for Democrats, including races in Indiana, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan and Wisconsin. Democratic incumbents, challengers and the committee had raised $97 million to the Republicans’ $75 million, she said.

Murray, who was first elected in 1992, the so-called Year of the Woman, touted her recruitment of five female candidates. In an unusual move, she made clear her support for Rep. Mazie Hirono to replace retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka, although Hirono still faces a competitive primary.