United States Senate Democratic Conference Secretary

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The United States Senate Democratic Conference Secretary, also called the Caucus Secretary, is a ranking leadership position within the Democratic Party in the United States Senate. It was previously considered the number-three position, behind the party's floor leader and the party's whip, until in 2006, when Democratic leader Harry Reid created the new position of Vice-Chairman of the caucus. Now, the secretary is the fourth-highest ranking position. The conference secretary is responsible for taking notes and aiding the party leadership when senators of the party meet or caucus together. [1]

Contents

The first conference secretary was Sen. Edward W. Carmack of Tennessee, who was elected in March 1903. [2]

The current conference secretary is Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who assumed the office in January, 2017.

List of Conference Secretaries

OfficeholderStateTerm
Edward W. Carmack Tennessee 1903–1907
Robert Owen Oklahoma 1907–1911
William E. Chilton West Va. 1911–1913
Willard Saulsbury Jr. Delaware 1913–1916
Key Pittman
Acting
Nevada 1916–1917
William H. King Utah 1917–1927
Hugo Black Alabama 1927–1937
Joshua B. Lee Oklahoma 1937–1943
Francis T. Maloney Connecticut 1943–1945
Brien McMahon Connecticut 1945–1952
Thomas Hennings Missouri 1953–1960
George Smathers Florida 1960–1966
Robert Byrd West Va. 1967–1971
Ted Moss Utah 1971–1977
Daniel Inouye Hawaii 1977–1989
David Pryor Arkansas 1989–1995
Barbara Mikulski Maryland 1995–2005
Debbie Stabenow Michigan 2005–2007
Patty Murray Washington 2007–2017
Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin 2017–present

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References

  1. The Hill
  2. Senate.gov