Twenty-two Blue Dog Democrats were defeated in last Tuesday's elections, leaving the fiscally conservative bloc and its allies short-handed. Two of the three Blue Dog co-chairmen — Baron Hill ( Ind. ) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.) — were among the losers, as was senior member Allen Boyd ( Fla. ). Democrats took a hit of at least 60 seats in the historic midterm balloting, which put Republicans back in control of the chamber.
Retirements also will thin the group's ranks further come January: Six other Blue Dogs, including one of its founders, John Tanner ( Tenn. ) are either retiring or ran for other office.
Among the Blue Dog survivors are Jim Matheson ( Utah ), Heath Shuler (N.C.) Mike Ross ( Ark. ) and Jim Cooper ( Tenn. ), who are viewed as among those most likely emerge as new leaders of the group. Matheson serves Blue Dog co-chairman for policy and Shuler is the group's whip.
Some are predicting that even with smaller numbers the Blue Dogs would remain a force to be reckoned with and might even grow their influence in a Republican majority.
