Democrats are courting former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to challenge Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) in the 2014 election cycle, according to The New York Times.
Sebelius has increasingly been mentioned as a strong Democratic challenger against Roberts and, according to the Times, one Democrat who spoke directly with her said she is “thinking about it.”
But a Sebelius Senate run wouldn’t ensure Democrats took control of Roberts’ seat. Not only does her resume include serving as the top healthcare official in the Obama administration for overseeing the Affordable Care Act but Democrats have also not controlled a Senate seat in Kansas since 1939.
That said, Sebelius was popular when she served as governor of the state and Roberts’ reelection is further complicated by a primary challenge from tea partier Milton Wolf.
If Sebelius did run she wouldn’t be the first Democratic candidate the party hopes could take advantage of intraparty fighting to win an otherwise likely unattainable seat. Former Rep. Travis Childers (D-MS) is running for Senate in the hopes of taking advantage of a contested primary between Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and tea party challenger state Sen. Chris McDaniel.
Run. Even if she doesn’t win, she makes the Kansas GOP bleed that much faster (and yes, the historical reference is intentional).
A win would solidify her positive position in history, but I wonder what price she would have to pay. I have to believe that’s on her mind, but I for one would support her, whatever decision she makes.
One more note. This possibility might explain her apparently abrupt change of mind about staying on as HHS Secretary.