N.C. congressman aiming for House leadership

By: Sean Musseneden/Media General News Service | SCNow
Published: December 04, 2007

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WASHINGTON – Though he’s served only half a term in the Senate, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., hopes to join his party’s leadership team this week.

Burr is running for chair of the Senate Republican Conference, a position that would make him the third highest-ranking Republican in the Senate and give him a key role in shaping his party's political message.

“He was encouraged by his colleagues to consider the race, and I think he took that to heart,” Burr’s spokesman Chris Walker said.

The GOP’s second-in-command in the Senate, Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., announced his retirement last week, setting the stage for a leadership shuffle.

The current Republican Conference chair, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is expected to replace Lott.

Burr, who was elected to the Senate in 2004, and Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee are campaigning to replace Kyl.

A closed-door leadership election has been scheduled for Thursday.