WASHINGTON — Any plans for a drama-free leadership succession to replace Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid have exploded after a heated clash between probable successor Sen. Charles Schumer and another top Democrat.
Schumer (D-NY) wrapped up commitments to succeed Reid within hours after being tipped off about his retirement plans at the end of 2016.
He even won the initial endorsement of frenemy Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) — the No. 2 leader and Democratic whip — whom Schumer vaulted over following a years-long contest to succeed Reid.
But now Durbin says Schumer, his former Capitol Hill housemate, has reneged on a promise to back his own re-election to whip.
“Durbin told Schumer: ‘Look, you’ve earned this. I’m not going to run for leader. I’ll support you. I intend to run for my own post.’ And the two senators agreed to support each other and shook hands on it and walked away,” Durbin’s spokesman, Ben Marter, told The Post.
But Schumer, who claims to have won the support of every returning Democrat, says there was no such deal.
“That never happened and they know it,” said Schumer spokesman Matt House. He added Wednesday that Schumer considers Durbin a close personal friend.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who has endorsed Schumer, could make a run to move up in leadership.