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Senate Minority Leader Harry Reids (D-Nev.) announcement Friday that he will not seek reelection next year has progressive groups licking their chops at the prospect of seeing Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as the Democratic leader.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer, currently Democrats' No. 3 in the Senate, is the heavy favorite to succeed Reid, but progressive groups have other ideas.

Democracy for America (DFA) is urging Warren to run for president, but says that if she passes, theyd back her or someone from her wing of the party as the next Democratic leader in the Senate.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee echoed that sentiment, predicting the race for Democratic leader wont be a coronation for the establishment members of the party believed to be next in line.

Her lifetime of fighting for the little guy against Wall Street power shows she can think big, wage tough fights against powerful interests, and win key votes in the Senate, the PCCC said in a statement. She's the definition of a leader. There will likely not be a coronation to replace Harry Reid as Senate Democratic Leader, and Elizabeth Warren is right up there with others as someone who would be taken very seriously."

Warren's office on Friday morning said she would not run for the leader's spot.

In addition to Schumer, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Patty Murray (D-Wash.) could be in the mix.

But in Senate races playing out across the country, the progressive groups have shown theyre thirsty for new blood in the party. They credit Warren with bringing their primary initiatives, like the expansion of entitlement programs, into the mainstream.

Both the DFA and the PCCC cited Thursday's vote on a Warren amendment to expand Social Security benefits, which was backed by 42 Democrats in the Senate, as evidence the Massachusetts Democrat already has the gravitas to lead the party.

Nearly the entirety of the Democratic caucus voted to expand Social Security benefits last night, Sroka said. Shes shown the ability to lead in the caucus and theres no doubt she could be a real force for the party.

Original post:
Progressives push for Warren as next Senate Democratic leader